(Raleigh, N.C.) Peopleclick, Inc., the leading global provider of talent acquisition and workforce compliance and diversity solutions, announces today the release of the complimentary eBook, Social Networks and Employment Law. Dr. Lisa Harpe from the Peopleclick® Research Institute and author of the eBook, discusses the compliance regulations HR professionals encounter when using social and professional networking sites as part of their talent acquisition strategy. Click here to download the complimentary eBook from Peopleclick®.

As the popularity of social and professional networking rises, recruiters, organizations and candidates are using Web 2.0 technologies to gain insight into each other. However, there are several federal anti-discrimination regulations that must be considered when organizations utilize these sites for recruiting and hiring purposes. In the eBook, Dr. Harpe reviews how organizations can avoid disparate treatment and disparate impact claims when using social networks for recruiting.

“Facebook®, LinkedIn® and Twitter offer an excess of information about job seekers applying for any open requisition in the marketplace today,” said Dr. Lisa Harpe, PhD, Sr. Consultant and Industrial Organizational Psychologist at the Peopleclick Research Institute. “The novelty around these sites overshadows the fact that using these technologies for recruiting and hiring carries with it many legal obligations. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the laws and regulations behind using these sites in the talent acquisition process as employers utilize these networks to consider individuals for employment, verify employment data, evaluate qualifications or use an applicant’s leisure activities as a basis for making hiring decisions. All methods used to make employment decisions are considered selection procedures and subject to anti-discrimination regulations.”

As social networks gain momentum as a viable resource for candidates to job search and for organizations to connect with potential applicants, it is important to be aware of the consequences of using these technologies for sourcing, recruiting and hiring. By following the recommendations found in the Social Networks and Employment Law eBook, organizations can be confident they are using social networking as a part of their talent acquisition strategy without discrimination and in compliance with federal law.

Peopleclick provides software and services that empower companies around the world to find, attract and hire quality people–in less time, with less risk. Peopleclick’s technology, consulting expertise and support give companies the vision and flexibility to strategically manage all of their talent resources–whether they are salaried, hourly or contingent. Founded in 1997, the privately-held company currently serves over 2,000 clients in 214 countries and territories, including 54 of the Fortune 100. Peopleclick products support users in organizations ranging in size from large, multi-national corporations to small and medium-sized businesses. For more information about Peopleclick, visit www.peopleclick.com.