SEATTLE — An amendment that would have allowed bosses to ask for a worker’s Facebook or other social media password during company investigations has been withdrawn for now.
The provision was proposed on Tuesday for a Senate bill that safeguards social network passwords of workers and job applicants. The measure bars employers from asking for social media credentials during job interviews.
On Wednesday, House Labor and Workforce Development Committee chair Rep. Mike Sells withdrew the amendment. He had introduced it at the behest of business groups, who say the original bill would open an avenue for possible illegal activity by employees, such as divulging proprietary or consumer information to outsiders.
Sells says lawmakers will continue to tweak the bill’s language to address concerns by business groups.
The unchanged bill cleared that committee and now awaits a floor vote, where it can be further amended.
