FBI warns employers about ‘Deepfake’ avatars in job interviews
Deepfake videos – where a person’s face head is typically replaced with someone else’s likeness – have been doing the rounds for years now – mostly people pretending to be Tom Cruise, Barak Obama or the like. But according to the FBI, the AI technology it uses is now being seen in online job interviews for jobs where the person works remotely. It finds videos are now being convincingly manipulated to misrepresent someone as the “applicant” for jobs. Often stolen personal information is being used, meaning stolen images of other people are being used to represent the job seeker. The warning has been issued because Deepfake videos are being used during interviews for jobs that involve giving the successful applicant access to sensitive systems and information. It means if these fraudsters get hired, they’ll have a chance to loot data, deliver ransomware, or do much worse.
Dedicated worker melts nation’s hearts
Last week TLNT reported how Burger King worker, Kevin Ford’s, so-called ‘reward’ for 27 unbroken service was a less than impressive goodie-bag containing a few pens and some chocolate [oh, and not forgetting a cinema ticket!]. It seems that his fellow Americans agree, because as of 30th June, a fundraiser page set up by his daughter, Seryna, has so-far raised $270,000 and counting. Contributors have flocked to the page, agreeing that his service should be better recognized. One contributor commented: “This is so wrong on so many levels. Give him a week off with pay so he can visit his grandchildren. Just Wow.” Another added: “Great work ethic. Humble. Appreciative. Well done, sir…God Bless,” while another said: “Good, hardworking people deserve more than a pack of Reeses after 27 years…. god bless!” According to TMZ, one of the top donors to the fundraiser was former SNL star David Spade who donated $5,000.
Companies braced for legal action if they help staff get abortions
After the Supreme Court controversially repealed the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling that legalized abortion nationwide, businesses are being told they should expect legal action if they make good on their promises to cover costs for staff to get abortions. A number of organizations – including Amazon, Apple and Microsoft – had previously announced they would help employees leave their home states to get abortions. But according to legal experts, any businesses that do so could face lawsuits and potential criminal liability. NBC News cites Robin Fretwell Wilson, a law professor at the University of Illinois, and expert on healthcare law, who argues it is likely “only a matter of time before companies face lawsuits from states or anti-abortion campaigners claiming that abortion-related payments violate state bans on facilitating or aiding and abetting abortions.” State lawmakers in Texas have already threatened Citigroup and Lyft, which had earlier announced travel reimbursement policies, with legal repercussions. A group of Republican lawmakers in a letter last month to Lyft CEO, Logan Green, said Texas “will take swift and decisive action” if the ride-hailing company implements the policy.
Two Subway workers shot
The sensitive topics of employee safety and gun control have once-more reared their heads, after two workers at a Subway sandwich store in Atlanta were shot – killing one, and seriously injuring the other. The incident happened on Sunday, after a customer allegedly complained about being given too much mayonnaise on his food. Atlanta Police deputy chief, Charles Hampton Jr, said the customer then “decided to take out his anger on two of the employees” in a “senseless act” of gun violence. Speaking to ABC News the officer said the incident “went from zero to 100 in a matter of seconds.” The employees have been described as being punctual, excellent and model workers.
Most disproportionately popular jobs revealed
Business Insider has ranked what it’s calling the most ‘disproportionately popular jobs’ in each state. It reveals some startling facts about regions with unexpectedly high levels of particular jobs. It finds, for instance, that New York City has a lot of subway and streetcar operators, while Houston has a disproportionate share of petroleum engineers. In New York City, there are nearly 5,000 subway and streetcar operators – an employment rate per 1,000 workers of 0.57 – who between them take home an average salary of $81,980. By comparison. LA has sees agents of artists, performers and athletes comprise an employment rate per 1,000 workers of 0.95. For every 1,000 workers, Chicago employs more than one cargo and freight agent, while there are three reservation and ticket clerks per 1,000 workers in Dallas. Nashville – perhaps less surprisingly – has more than one worker for every thousand employed as either a musician or singer.
Staffing company being sued for rejecting applicant born outside the US
A recruitment company is being taken to court after initially saying an applicant would be a good fit for client, XPO Logistics, but then rejected her when she said she was born outside of America. The women, a naturalized citizen, said she didn’t have a U.S. birth certificate but did have documents to prove she is a U.S. citizen. The recruiter, ResourceMFG, then told her she wasn’t qualified for the job because she was born in Germany, according to the complaint. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission – which is acting on behalf of the woman – claims the recruitment company violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, and is suing for national origin discrimination. XPO Logistics’ – for its part – only requires that temporary and permanent employees should be U.S. citizens and not that they be born in the U.S as well. Beyond Title VII, the anti-discrimination provision of the Immigration and Naturalization Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of national origin or citizenship status during the employment verification process.
Care crisis looming due to shortage of workers
America is facing a care home crisis due to a lack of workers, after data revealed three out of five nursing homes have limited new admissions due to staffing shortages. The research – by the American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living – looked at the responses of 759 nursing care home providers, and it found a staggering 73% said they might have to close their facilities unless staffing problems were solved. The survey found 87% of nursing home providers are now facing ‘moderate to high’ staffing shortages, with nearly half (48%) struggling with a ‘severe’ staffing shortage. Nearly all providers said they are having trouble hiring staff (98%), and as a result are asking existing staff to work overtime or extra shifts (99%). Although the care profession was already suffering shortages pre-pandemic, data suggests Covid-19 has only exacerbated the problem. Nursing homes have reportedly lost more than 240,000 caregivers – or roughly 15% of its workforce – since the beginning of the pandemic. This is mainly due to them being burned out.