The 44th Annual

Northern Ohio Human Resource Conference (NOHRC)

March 12, 2010

I-X Center • Cleveland, Ohio

Legal Issues Surrounding Social Networking and

Emerging Workplace Technology

Learning Objectives:                                

1. How to protect your company from the legal risk posed by your employees when they use social networking sites

2. Determine whether (and if so, when) it is adviseable for companies to "google" applicants to review their social networking sites and other information on the web

3. What is "textual harassment" and how should companies respond when faced with such a claim

This session will deal with many of the legal issues arising from social networking. Your employees are using LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and are blogging. Companies need to set standards and limits for their employees' use of these sites. Companies should develop written social networking policies. The session will look at the key issues to be considered in the development of such policies. The session will also explore the new concept of "textual harassment" and how to respond to such claims. Finally, the session will also consider whether hiring managers and HR should "google" applicants to find their social networking sites.

BIO - Robert S. Gilmore

Rob is a partner in Kohrman Jackson & Krantz’s Labor and Employment Law Group.  Rob represents employers of all sizes, providing advice and counsel in all areas of labor and employment law.  Rob also represents employers in labor and employment litigation and ERISA (benefits) litigation.  Prior to joining Kohrman Jackson & Krantz in 2000, Rob was Assistant General Counsel – Employment and Human Resources for Verizon Communications, (previously GTE Corporation), a Fortune 50 Telecommunications Company.  In that role, Rob provided advice and counsel to the company’s various business units, and managed the company’s employment and ERISA litigation defense.  Rob’s in-house experience has made him believe in a proactive approach to labor and employment law.  Rob also represents executives in negotiation of employment agreements and severance/separation agreements. Rob has also focused upon the effect of new technology in the workplace, as a charter member of the American Bar Association’s Technology Committee.