Business People Can Learn How Social Media Affects Employee Hiring, Firing

The West Suburban Chamber of Commerce is hosting a free class on Friday, July 15, for its members, business people and the public on how social media, such as Facebook and Twitter, can affect hiring, managing and firing employees.

Attorney Timothy Eavenson will teach the class, Hiring and Managing Employees in the Age of Social Media, from 7:50 to 9 a.m. that day in the chamber’s office, 9440 Joliet Road, Suite B, in the Republic Bank building in Hodgkins. Coffee will be served. A question-and-answer period will follow his talk.

Those interested in attending are asked to call the chamber at (708) 387-7550 in advance.

Eavenson, a Western Springs resident who specializes as a labor relations attorney, said he will discuss how employees and job applicants use social media—such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, the Internet in general and “Web 2.0 stuff”—and how it affects businesses.

Companies who use data mining to get information about job applicants can receive benefits as well as serious problems, such as discrimination and privacy issues, he said.

The attorney also will discuss the thin line between discrimination and protected activity, with employees who complain in social media about their bosses. Eavenson also will discuss employees using social media while at work. 

The chamber serves La Grange, La Grange Park, Western Springs and many other communities.