Can my employer force me to post and allow them to copyright my photograph and personal information on its public website?
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Can my employer force me to post and allow them to copyright my photograph and personal information on its public website?
My employer has recently announced that all pharmacists must post a personal mugshot on their new website along with our personal information. This information is to include our name, education, personal philosophy and ethics, and other identifying characteristics. In addition they wish to copyright out photographs “for our own protection”. Upper management (who will not be participating) says this is not a request. If we do not comply we will cease to be employed.
Asked on March 5, 2012 under Employment Labor Law, Michigan
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
Yes, your employer may require this. An employer may essentially make anything which is not inherently illegal a condition or requirement of employment. Since there is nothing illegal about posting pictures, resumes, personal information, etc. to the web--tens or hundreds of millions of Americans do it voluntarily--your employer may require this. If you refuse to comply, they could terminate you, unless you had an employment contract which limits the grounds for termination.
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