Although the digitization of their work brings more benefits than disadvantages for many employees, many fear that it will also lead to increased supervision in the workplace. This is evident from an IFES survey commissioned by the Chamber of Labor (AK). According to this, digitization has more positive than negative effects on their work for about 60 percent of those surveyed. Still, 74 percent fear more supervision due to the ongoing digitization.
For 56 percent of those surveyed, documenting and reporting requirements have increased due to digitization, and more than a third (36 percent) indicate that their work performance is measured or monitored using digital techniques or processes. The fear of losing their job due to digitization, on the other hand, is not as present as it used to be: only three percent of respondents see their job as a high risk, while another nine percent see their job as dangerous. more at risk.
A fifth feel insufficiently informed
Almost half of the respondents believe that they are sufficiently supported by accompanying measures for the introduction of new digital work equipment, but this is not the case for at least one in five respondents (20 percent). When asked about the participation of the working population in the introduction of digital work equipment, 34 percent indicate that they are very or rather involved, while 36 percent feel little or not at all involved. More than a quarter of respondents (27 percent) also indicate that the boundaries between working time and free time are becoming blurred.
The fear of being excluded from the benefits of digitization was shared by 18 percent of those surveyed. The main reason for this is a lack of knowledge in dealing with digital offers, followed by a lack of technical equipment and a lack of knowledge of English. At the same time, 72 percent of those surveyed indicated that they handle digital systems well or very well.
AK calls for restrictions on surveillance
In this context, the AK argues for a limitation of control measures in the workplace. For example, it is important that there is always a legitimate control goal and that the “least” means of control are used. Furthermore, employees and the works council should be informed in advance about the possible application of control measures and the works council should be involved in the implementation. The restrictions must be laid down in an employment contract. In companies without a works council, control measures may only be implemented with the consent of the employee, according to the AK.
In addition, precautions are needed to avoid blurring the line between working time and free time. The AK also calls for more further training, for example through a legal right to one week of further training per year in paid working hours and attention to digital education, also in schools.
For the research by the Institute for Empirical Social Research (IFES), a total of 1011 working AK members between the ages of 18 and 60 across Austria were interviewed online and by telephone from October to November 2022.
Source: Krone
I’m Ben Stock, a journalist and author at Today Times Live. I specialize in economic news and have been working in the news industry for over five years. My experience spans from local journalism to international business reporting. In my career I’ve had the opportunity to interview some of the world’s leading economists and financial experts, giving me an insight into global trends that is unique among journalists.
