Professional Boundaries on LinkedIn: Avoiding Stalking Behavior

LinkedIn has revolutionized the way professionals connect, network, and explore opportunities. With over 700 million users globally, the platform has become an indispensable tool for job seekers, recruiters, entrepreneurs, and businesses alike. Whether you're nurturing existing relationships or seeking new ones, it’s essential to approach LinkedIn with an ethical mindset that fosters trust and mutual respect. While the platform offers countless advantages, it’s equally important to be mindful of how you engage with others, especially when it comes to former colleagues or employees.

LinkedIn offers the ability to check on someone’s professional updates easily, but when does checking in on someone's profile turn into "stalking"? In this blog, we’ll explore best practices for maintaining ethical behavior on LinkedIn, the fine line between professional curiosity and unwanted scrutiny, and strategies to help you cultivate a professional network that enhances your career without crossing ethical boundaries.

The Growing Issue of Former Employers Stalking Old Employees on LinkedIn

A concerning trend among professionals is the persistent monitoring of former employees by their previous employers. Former employers may feel inclined to check up on past employees out of curiosity or perceived necessity, but when frequent profile checks occur without a clear professional purpose, this can start to cross the line into stalking behavior. LinkedIn stalking by former employers is an increasingly common issue that can create an uncomfortable dynamic between both parties, potentially hindering future professional relationships.

Former employees, like anyone else on LinkedIn, deserve the right to privacy and space in their professional journey. Consistently viewing their profile out of curiosity or for reasons unrelated to collaboration or professional networking is a breach of trust and can harm potential connections. This behavior often creates feelings of being watched or scrutinized and may lead to former employees distancing themselves from potential engagements with their past employers.

This is especially troubling for women, who may already feel vulnerable in professional settings. When women encounter frequent, unsolicited profile visits from former employers or colleagues, it can heighten concerns about privacy, safety, and even harassment. For many women, the knowledge that their professional journey is being monitored without consent can create a sense of unease, making LinkedIn, a space intended for professional growth, feel unsafe.

Ethical Engaging People on LinkedIn

When using LinkedIn, it’s easy to view profiles, follow professional journeys, and engage with content. But with great power comes great responsibility. Ethical engagement is not just about avoiding harmful behavior—it’s about fostering an environment where everyone can grow and benefit. Engaging respectfully can lead to meaningful partnerships, career advancement, and a positive digital footprint.

However, when checking a former employee's profile becomes frequent, persistent, and without clear professional reason, it may start veering into what’s informally called "LinkedIn stalking." This refers to the over-monitoring of someone’s activity or progress on LinkedIn, often leading to discomfort for the person being observed. People often check who has viewed their profiles, and consistent, unsolicited views can make someone feel like their privacy is being violated.

Respecting others' space and boundaries is essential for cultivating a healthy online presence. A respectful, purposeful approach can build lasting relationships instead of unintentionally damaging them.

Identifying When Checking In Becomes Stalking

LinkedIn provides access to a wide range of professional profiles, which makes it easy to follow former employees' journeys or check on employees who have left. But when does checking in cross the line from casual interest to intrusive behavior?

There are two key factors to consider:

Frequency:

If you find yourself visiting a former employee's profile on a regular basis without a professional reason, it’s time to reassess your motives. Occasional check-ins, especially when prompted by a milestone such as a job change or promotion, are perfectly normal. However, viewing someone’s profile repeatedly over a short period can make them feel watched or scrutinized.

Women, in particular, may feel more vulnerable when facing this type of repeated behavior, as it can evoke concerns about personal safety and harassment. The professional setting of LinkedIn should be a place where everyone feels secure in sharing their career progress, and frequent, unsolicited visits can undermine that sense of safety. Former employees, regardless of gender, deserve the right to privacy and autonomy over how they engage on the platform, but for women, the stakes can often feel higher, and such behavior may have a more profound impact on their sense of well-being.

Intent:

The intent behind your actions matters. If you're merely checking in because you’re curious about their current position or career trajectory, take a step back. LinkedIn is a professional platform, and every interaction should serve a clear purpose. If your goal is to reconnect professionally, it's often better to send a message congratulating them on their new role or suggesting a potential collaboration. This transparent approach helps maintain boundaries and allows the other person to engage voluntarily rather than feeling as though they are being silently monitored.

For women in particular, knowing that their professional journey is being observed without clear intent can feel invasive. When women encounter frequent, unsolicited profile visits, they may question whether LinkedIn is a space where they can safely share their achievements without being scrutinized for reasons unrelated to their professional growth.

Ethical Guidelines for Using LinkedIn’s Features

LinkedIn offers various features designed to help you stay informed and connected. Understanding how to use these features ethically can help you maximize the platform's potential without compromising trust.

1. Profile Viewing Options

LinkedIn provides users with options for viewing profiles either publicly (allowing the person to see who viewed their profile) or anonymously. While anonymous viewing can have legitimate uses, such as when conducting market research or exploring potential hires, it’s important to avoid overusing this feature when checking specific profiles—especially those of former employees. If you find yourself frequently viewing the same person’s profile, consider the ethical implications of that action. Transparency in your actions can prevent misinterpretation and foster openness.

2. Connection Requests and Messaging

If you’ve checked a former employee’s profile multiple times and feel that there may be a professional reason to reconnect, a better approach might be to send a polite message rather than continuing to view their profile silently. A simple congratulation on a new role or an offer to collaborate can be a more positive and direct way to maintain professional contact. Avoid sending connection requests or messages simply out of curiosity about someone's career trajectory. Instead, focus on genuine professional engagement.

3. Following and Endorsing Skills

Following someone’s updates is an excellent way to stay engaged with their professional journey without engaging in behavior that may be perceived as intrusive. You can support former employees by endorsing skills they truly possess, as long as it's based on your professional experiences with them. Ethical use of endorsements builds credibility for both parties and can lead to new opportunities down the line.

Practical Tips for Maintaining Ethical LinkedIn Behavior

As with any professional platform, ethical behavior should be at the forefront of your LinkedIn activity. To ensure your usage remains respectful, especially when dealing with former employees or colleagues, follow these practical tips:

1. Set Clear Objectives

Before checking a former employee's profile, reflect on your reasons for doing so. Do you have a legitimate professional need to view their current role or updates? If not, reconsider your actions. LinkedIn is a tool to enhance your professional network, and each interaction should have a clear purpose. Whether you're exploring potential collaborations or evaluating talent, your actions should be grounded in a professional objective, not mere curiosity.

2. Communicate Openly

If you find yourself checking someone’s profile multiple times, consider reaching out with a message. Acknowledge their accomplishments or express interest in reconnecting professionally. By initiating open communication, you avoid creating discomfort or confusion over repeated profile visits. Direct communication can often prevent misinterpretations and foster trust in your network.

3. Use LinkedIn’s Privacy Settings Thoughtfully

LinkedIn’s privacy settings allow you to control who sees your activity. If you're engaging in research or passive observation, using anonymous viewing settings may be appropriate. However, regularly viewing someone’s profile anonymously can also cause unnecessary discomfort if done too frequently. It’s best to remain transparent in your actions and avoid giving the impression of secrecy. Likewise, be mindful of others' privacy settings and respect their boundaries when interacting with their content.

4. Focus on Content Engagement

Instead of focusing on checking profiles, try engaging with the content shared by your network. Comment on posts, share relevant articles, and participate in discussions to maintain an active presence on LinkedIn. By engaging with content that aligns with your interests, you contribute to the community while avoiding actions that could be perceived as intrusive.

5. Be Mindful of Boundaries

Ultimately, the key to ethical LinkedIn use is respecting boundaries—both your own and others'. It’s easy to get caught up in monitoring former employees, but remember that LinkedIn is a professional space, not a place for persistent personal observation. Keep your actions professional, and ensure your engagement with former employees and colleagues is constructive, respectful, and meaningful.

Building a Professional Network That Works for You

LinkedIn’s value comes from fostering real professional connections, not just observing others from a distance. To build an effective network, focus on ethical engagement, meaningful communication, and professional growth.

1. Selective and Purposeful Connections

Your network should reflect your professional interests and goals. When sending connection requests or accepting them, think about the mutual value that the relationship can offer. Don’t simply connect out of curiosity—focus on building a network of trusted colleagues, mentors, and professionals that can help you grow and succeed.

2. Add Value

Contributing meaningful insights and supporting others in your network fosters a collaborative environment where engagement becomes more genuine and frequent. Sharing relevant knowledge, celebrating others' achievements, and offering well-deserved endorsements and recommendations, you build stronger connections. This approach not only boosts your visibility but also encourages reciprocal support, strengthening your presence in the professional community. Always ensure that your contributions are authentic and aligned with the goals and values of those you aim to support.

3. Encourage Transparency and Trust

Be open and direct in your communication. Whether it's reaching out to a former colleague, endorsing skills, or following someone’s professional journey, clarity and transparency build trust. Avoid behaviors that might cause suspicion or discomfort, and prioritize genuine professional engagement.

Networking With the Right Intent

There is a fine line between professional interest and LinkedIn "stalking" is one that every user should be mindful of, especially when it comes to former employers monitoring their old employees. Ethical behavior on LinkedIn is not just about avoiding negative consequences—it’s about actively fostering trust, transparency, and respect. Engaging with a clear purpose, respecting privacy, and focusing on meaningful interactions will allow you to maintain a strong, positive professional presence.