Facebook users willing to let employers see profiles

TORONTO (Reuters Life!) - While many Facebook users may be secretly surfing the social networking site on the job, many Canadians say they are willing to let their employer look at their profiles, according to a poll released on Wednesday.

Almost half of 1,200 people questioned in an online survey said they would be comfortable sharing their personal profile with their current employer, while two in five would consider letting prospective employers look at their Facebook account in addition to their resume.

"Everybody is trying to figure out the best thing to do with it and our sense is 'embrace it'," said Brian Singh, managing director of ZINC Research, which conducted the poll with Dufferin Research.

Many Canadian companies and government departments have blocked office Internet access to Facebook, the most popular social networking site in the country.

The poll showed that out of Facebook's 9 million Canadian members, almost 9 in 10 adults aged 18 to 34 use the site. Singh suggested that more people are censoring potentially embarrassing information.

"The days of getting drunk and getting all your pictures posted online, that's gone," he said.

Singh added that companies should be taking advantage of the social networking phenomenon, rather than trying to keep it out of the office.

"Most employers are trying to figure out how Facebook can make a positive contribution to their operations," said Singh.

"While the platform presents many opportunities and cost efficiencies for marketing and information, it is its strength in connection and engagement that can be used to attract and retain talent and build a vibrant company culture."

(Reporting by Claire Sibonney; editing by Patricia Reaney)