Main image of article Congress Eyes IT Overtime, Predictions for 2012

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DICETV UPDATE: Congress is thinking about cutting overtime for more of us... CompTIA’s predictions for 2012... And more evidence that techs have to be… more than techs. All on this week's Update. Congress is considering a bill that would eliminate overtime for more IT workers. The legislation seeks to expand the class of workers exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act, which requires workers be paid time and a half if they work more than 40 hours a week. The current exemption covers computer systems analysts, programmers, engineers, or other “similarly skilled workers.” The new language expands that to include jobs related to things like “computers,” and “networks,” or “software, hardware, databases, security, Internet, intranet or websites.” Not only does the exemption cover salaried workers, but it also includes anyone making more than $27.63 an hour. The bill’s called the Computer Professionals Update Act, or CPU Act. Witty, right? It’s in the House Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. Don’t like it? Write your congressman. Seriously. It’s that time of year when everyone’s predicting which areas will be hot in 2012. Trade associations are no exception. So let’s hear what CompTIA says. They says if you’re looking for work, look here. First, Mobile App Development. Skills there will become more important as more businesses look for products that can help them streamline operations and communicate. Security continues to be a worry for businesses, governments and consumers. But there still aren’t enough professionals around to meet their needs. Systems Integration, including Unified Communications. This’ll be a busy area as companies look for ways to save on operations and communications costs. And finally: Health IT. It’s moving from the planning to the implementation stage, so there’s plenty of work to be done there.  Plus, trainers are needed as systems begin to go live. The value of IT certifications is always the subject of debate. So here’s another point to ponder. IT employment and consulting firm Foote Partners says business smarts are more important than certifications where hiring is concerned. The salaries between workers who have certifications and those who don’t have flattened, the company says. Why? Its third-quarter IT Skills and Certification Pay Index says that companies are looking for a “hybrid IT business professional,” who’s got skills in business, sales and marketing--on top of their technical expertise.