In the current year, Russian employers show a noticeably higher tendency to dismiss workers over social media activity, with the proportion nearly doubling compared to 2020. This pattern is highlighted in a report drawing on data from the SuperJob recruitment platform.
According to the service, about one in twenty employers in Russia terminated an employee this year over posts they made on social networks, a figure that represents roughly a 50% increase from 2020.
Additionally, roughly 18% of employers indicated that they monitor their employees’ social media posts. About a quarter of employers reported turning down a job candidate due to the candidate’s social network content, underscoring the role of online presence in hiring decisions.
SuperJob conducted its survey from March 24 to April 3, 2023, across 253 locations in every region of Russia. The sample included 1,000 personnel- and recruitment decision-makers and 1.6 thousand economically active individuals nationwide.
Building on prior research cited by industry observers and the Budu online health management service in collaboration with Zarplaty.ru, there is strong emphasis on expanded voluntary medical benefits, including dental and mental health services. This trend appears particularly influential for younger employees ages 24 to 39 (44%) and those aged 18 to 23 (40%), who view such benefits as a key component of their overall compensation package.
These findings arrive amid broader conversations about workplace policy, digital responsibility, and the evolving expectations around employee privacy and employer oversight. As organizations across varied sectors reassess human resources practices, the balance between monitoring and trust remains a central topic for both employers and workers in Russia and beyond. The implications for talent acquisition, retention, and overall workplace culture continue to unfold as more firms weigh the value of social media presence in professional assessments. The North American context shows parallel concerns about online behavior and its impact on hiring and employment stability, prompting ongoing dialogue among policymakers, businesses, and workers alike. [Cited sources include RBC via SuperJob survey data, institutional industry reports, and surveys conducted by Budu and Zarplaty.ru]