Week in Review

Are you working in your pajamas right now? Or from the beach? If so, you may be one of the many Americans who telecommute. This week, a Forbes article discussed the rise of telecommuting, the reasons telecommuting is becoming more common, and why it's not for everyone. Meanwhile, a federal appellate court held that telecommuting may be required as a form of reasonable accommodation for a disabled employee. The court had previously held, back in 2004, that telecommuting was not a form of reasonable accommodation, but it explained that the technological evolution of the last decade now makes telecommuting a more viable option.  

In other news, there has been some follow up on our post last week discussing the recent announcement that smartphones in the U.S. will soon come equipped with a kill switch. The federal government has argued in a brief to the Supreme Court that this type of technology is a justification for federal officers to be able to immediately search a suspect's cell phone without a warrant before the phone is locked or remotely wiped. You can also read on below to see the many other ways technology is shaping the law. 

Technology and the Workplace
Is Telecommuting The Wave Of The Future? (Forbes)
Sixth Circuit reverses course and holds that telecommuting may be a reasonable accommodation (Employer Law Report)
Step Away From the Text Messages (Evil HR Lady)
Social Media Privacy Update: What Employers Need to Know About New State Legislation (Technology Company Counselor)
Job Fairs Ditch Paper for Bar Codes (WSJ At Work)

Technology and the Law
Feds Beg Supreme Court to Let Them Search Phones Without a Warrant (Wired)
When 'Liking' a Brand Online Voids the Right to Sue (NY Times)
Hurt Feelings Do Not a Lawsuit Make . . . Even on Twitter (Delaware Employment Law Blog)
F.C.C., in a Shift, Backs Fast Lanes for Web Traffic (NY Times)
NYPD asks for Twitter posts of photos of police interacting with public, gets and eyeful (ABA Journal)
Artists say 'Conversnitch' lamp planted at McDonald's posts public chatter on Twitter (ABA Journal)

There's an App for That
Acompli Launches App to Simplify Mobile Email (Mashable)
Branded Viral Videos: The Secret Marketing Weapon (Mashable)
Three Handy Android Apps for Customizing Your Notifications Bar (Wired)
Cloud Photo Storage: The Best Ways to Bank Family Pictures (WSJ)
Cellphone Cases to Prepare You for Anything, Even a Flat Tire (NY Times)