The sequence of technological changes is happening faster and faster. While this opens up many opportunities, many employees are pushed to their health limits. “People are afraid of the introduction of technologies,” says Eva King, deputy director of the Chamber of Labor. For employees who weren’t born as “digital natives,” these requirements are incomprehensible.
This can lead to stress and overwork. Accordingly, care must be taken to adequately prepare and protect all the employees they take with them, emphasizes King. “Not everything that’s possible is possible,” she explains.
Digital systems determine workplaces
King points out that digital systems will determine more jobs than imagined – especially after the CoV pandemic. “That is why today it is not only about employee rights in labor law or social policy, but also and above all in technology policy,” emphasizes King.
dangers of digitization
The dangers of digitization will be discussed at a science conference of the Chamber of Labor on Thursday. Although technological possibilities offer greater benefits, for example, surveillance and control in the workplace is a big topic.
workplace control as a by-product
Control in the workplace is a big issue: it is a by-product of technological, digital systems, explains Eva Engler from the GPA Work and Technology Association. Technologyization means that a lot of data is stored about the behavior and performance of employees.
“If you measure it, the employee is transparent,” explains Engler. Engler appeals, “The big challenge here is to strengthen protective regulations and create a data protection culture in the company.”
Beware of Data Processing
Accordingly, caution is needed when processing data, emphasizes Paul Nimitz, advisor to the EU Commission. After all, it brings with it rights that are relevant in the workplace. Which data may be processed and whether one can request deletion of data, for example, questions of data protection law. In future, trade union legal advice should link labor law with data protection law.
Nimitz is convinced that the EU’s Basic Data Protection Regulation (EU-DSGVO) has brought Europe forward in terms of trust in the digital economy. “It is important that people know they have rights and that these rights are taken seriously,” he stressed.
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