Technology 

Most Americans Concerned About Online Security; Few Understand the Risks
Americans are generally aware that any online activity has the potential to expose their personal data to exploitation, but few understand the risks posed by their actions or how vulnerable their online identities might be. These concerns are not unfounded; incidents of online data misuse and identity theft are increasing significantly each year.

Survey: Done Right, Telework Ups Productivity, Job Satisfaction
A sound telecommuting strategy increases productivity, job satisfaction and work/life flexibility significantly, according to a recent survey conducted by a global Internet solutions company among its workforce. Respondents were from the Asia-Pacific region, the United States, Canada, Europe and emerging markets.

H-1B Visa Update: Filings Surge Rise
After a remarkably sluggish FY 2010 H-1B visa-filing season, petitions have picked up markedly, according to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Figures show that 7,000 petitions were accepted during October 2009, bringing the total to approximately 53,800 H-1B general cap petitions filed since April 1, 2009.

Going Mobile: Technology Puts Talent in Palm of Recruiters’ Hands
Recruiters and technology experts say the way people apply for jobs and the ways in which recruiters look for candidates are evolving rapidly. They add that using a mobile device and having job boards and recruitment sites optimized for such devices simply makes sense.

Record Retention Critical When Using Mobile Devices for Recruiting
Recruiters increasingly are finding it easy to use their mobile devices to search for candidates via the Internet. But experts say they might be entering a legal minefield that could lead to thousands of dollars in fines—if they’re not keeping records on how they search for talent and following U.S. recordkeeping laws prohibiting discrimination.

E-Verify Extended for Three Years
E-Verify, the federal government’s electronic employment verification system, has been extended through September 2012.

Survey Examines the State of HR Technology Adoption
CHICAGO—CedarCrestone, Inc.,  an Atlanta-based provider of consulting, managed services, and advanced technology services, recently released its 12th annual white paper on the state of HR technology adoption. The CedarCrestone 2009-2010 HR Systems Survey, which is based on 1,008 responses from worldwide organizations that serve more than 18 million employees, tracks 38 applications, including administrative, service delivery, workforce management, strategic human capital management, and business intelligence solutions.

Obama Administration Seeks Restrictions on Cell Phone Use, Texting While Driving 
In an effort to contend with the growing peril of “distracted driving”—the use of cell phones and other electronic devices while driving—the Obama administration announced a ban on federal employees text messaging while driving and said it plans to put forth the first federal restrictions on the use of cell phones while driving.

Accommodating the Disabled Online
Experts say there are 50 million Americans with disabilities. Navigating social networking sites such as Facebook, Myspace, LinkedIn, Twitter, Second Life, Wikipedia, YouTube, Delicious, Digg and a host of others can be a challenge for anyone—but especially for those with hearing or visual impairments, cognitive issues, autism, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease or other disabilities. This is where the Job Accommodation Network (JAN) steps in.

Not Recommended: Blurred Lines Between Bosses and Employees on Social Networking Sites
Technology isn’t just blurring the lines between work and home anymore. Now it’s also blurring the lines between bosses and employees, as managers increasingly “friend” some employees on Facebook and recommend other workers on social networking sites like LinkedIn. At least one lawyer says this brave new world is fraught with legal risks that will take years to get fleshed out in the courts.

Time to Review Reference, Social Media Usage Policies?
When co-workers get fired or laid off, many supervisors or former colleagues don’t think twice about writing online recommendations to help them in their new job search. But experts say it might pay to review, revise or reiterate the company’s reference and social media usage policies to head off potential legal problems involving the giving of recommendations about current or past employees.

Enforcement of Red Flags Rule on Identity Theft Begins Nov. 1
On Nov. 1, 2009, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) began enforcing the Red Flags Rule requiring financial institutions and creditors with covered accounts to implement a written identity theft prevention program that identifies the company’s red flags—patterns, practices and activities that indicate the possible existence of identity theft in connection with its covered accounts—as well as how it will detect identity theft and respond appropriately.