Employers checking; how far is too far?

As far as your privacy is concerned, how far are you willing to let your employer go? Would you let them search through your belongings each time you left the premises? Would you allow them to pat you down? How about relinquishing your social networking information (i.e. Facebook -- which employers often check)? Do you feel your right to privacy depends on the type of job you have, and if so, where do you draw the line? At what point does privacy become less of a concern for you?

I think when it doesn't directly affect the job it's none of their business.

A lot of the electronic stuff is cutting edge, but the edge goes to the employer. His computer and he owns everything, even every keystroke on it. And, it is established that the boss has a right to access whatever is going down on his computer.

Our company just now blocked "social networks" and the block includes Youtube and flickr. Not only can't I access flickr, but fotos linked from there don't show up.

So, ppl at work on a computer should realize that their privacy only depends on the expertise of the company IT and the boss' wish.

Also, I think they have a right to search bags and such in most companies. I used to be a security guard at a hospital and they were about to implement that but backed off. I was a bad guard - made friends with a lot of the staff (slept with some) - that compromises your work.

Now how legal it is without probable cause or search warrant IDK. You can always protest - on your last day of work there.

I only object to one thing, the credit check. I show up to work, they pay me, how I spend it isn't their concern. There are things that happen to people, so how fast they pay their bills is no reflection on whether they are a good person or not.

Facebook, I don't care. I put what I choose on there, so if anyone looks it up, have a ball.

They are welcome to go through my purse or tote bag, they won't find anything interesting. If I know they might do it, I would not carry anything compromising.

Background checks and contacting past employers during the hire stage is all I think is ethical. They shouldn't be googling people or trying to see what's on their FB. I also don't think it's legal for them to check coats, even if they act like they have the authority to.

They got a right to do criminal background checks to make sure they not putting a killer on the role but they shouldn't be looking into credit history and all that other shit they do. I dont even like them checking references truthfully and if you got to call my last employers it should just be to verify employment dates, not to collect dirt.