WOWemployers Sued By Monster.com
Officially launched this morning, WOWemployers Network is a revolutionary new employment and human capital management Internet site designed to move Internet recruiting from its current "media" job board model -- the electronic version of newspaper classified help-wanted ads -- to a job seeker/employer "relationship" model. This ground breaking relationship model offers a unique complete Application Service Provider (ASP) solution that makes employers' intranets and websites their most valuable tools for recruiting, retention and workforce management.
Monster alleges in its lawsuit, filed in Marion Superior Court, Indiana, that WOWemployers President and CEO, Bill Warren, and former Monster.com employees have conspired to steal confidential marketing data, customer contact lists, and other company information. The lawsuit specifically names Mr. Warren and 18 previous Monster employees and alleges that said employees have taken data belonging to TMP/Monster, such as marketing data, financial information, client lists, key contact information and pricing policies.
Among the counts alleged in the suit are misappropriation of trade secrets, breach of contract, tortious interference with contract, tortious interference with business relations, civil conspiracy, and conversion. The suit also asks for the immediate return of any proprietary information, and seeks compensation for any income lost as a result of the alleged misappropriation. According to the suit, Monster.com is also seeking punitive damages for "malicious misappropriation" of trade secrets.
Mr. Warren and WOWemployers steadfastly deny all allegations set forth by Monster.com, in the suit. In commenting on the suit, Mr. Warren said, "We will vigorously fight and defend ourselves against these charges. The eighteen people cited in the suits joined us voluntarily and without solicitation, recognizing that WOWemployers offers tremendous potential and personal opportunity, as well as an environment of professionalism and mutual respect."
Mr. Warren added, "In my opinion, Monster's actions illustrate Monster's perception that WOWemployers and our revolutionary technology is a major threat to the company and its business model."
WOWemployers Network is a national association of employers who are joining forces to develop and manage a common Internet-based recruiting and human capital management system. An industry first, association membership is open to all employers and professional recruiters. Initial corporate member companies include industry giants Alcoa (NYSE:AA), Eastman Kodak (NYSE:EK), Nike Inc. (NYSE:NKE), Texas Instruments (NYSE:TI), and Management Recruiters International.
WOWemployers will provide recruiters and hiring managers with Internet-based desktop tools for automating, managing, and monitoring internal and external processes, and providing a link with external service providers. Benefits include quicker hiring cycles, lower hiring costs, improved planning, better retention and the establishment of performance metrics necessary to optimize hiring performance.
Widely recognized as the founder of online recruiting, Mr. Warren established the Internet's first employment site, Online Career Center (OCC). Under Mr. Warren's leadership, Online Career Center experienced phenomenal growth and was the top-rated, most respected and most profitable site on the Internet. He was the president of OCC from its inception in 1992 until early 1999 when it merged with Monster Board and was renamed Monster.com. Mr. Warren served as President of Monster.com during the merger period.
Besides the veteran leadership of Mr. Warren, WOWemployers is composed of experienced senior management and member services staff. The top 20-30 key people have extensive experience with both Internet services and online recruiting. Some senior managers -- such as Jose Manuel Alvarez who is the founder of OCCMundial, a popular job site in Mexico -- are recognized experts in their fields.
About WOWemployers Network: Formed by William O. Warren, widely recognized as the founder of online recruiting, former president of Monster.com, and founder of Online Career Center -- the Internet's first employment site -- Indianapolis, Indiana based WOWemployers Network is a national association of employers who have joined forces to develop and manage a common Internet-based recruiting and human capital management system.