The HR Perspective on Technological Unemployment

 


The advent of AI and technology has brought about fast change across several sectors, with the promise of increased efficiency and production. Yet, although AI is making great strides, new worries about job loss and increased unemployment have surfaced. The purpose of this blog is to provide a comprehensive review of the global effects of technology on unemployment by looking at the problems , and possible remedies.

 Check this video to know about technology impact on jobs.


Technological Unemployment: What does this Mean?

When new manufacturing methods and labor-saving organisational solutions leave some individuals unemployed and looking for work, this is known as technological unemployment (Rockwell Automation, 2023). For instance, consider the 4.1 million Americans working as drivers; innovations in driverless cars have the potential to swiftly replace them, adding to the anxiety caused by the uncertainty surrounding fast technological advancements. Another example is the retail industry, rise in checkout free shopping experience by retailers lead to loss of jobs in cashiers. For instance, Amazon (USA) now has a physical store where anyone can come in, get what they want, and go and skip the checkout lines (Guardian, 2016).


 Source: (SHRM, 2020)

 Has Technology Led to Job Loss as Imagined?

 How Should Organisations Change?

Strategic organisational adaptation is required to meet the problems and seize the possibilities posed by technological unemployment. Some possible techniques are as follows:

Employee training and development: This should be a top priority for any company that wants to keep up with the ever-changing demands of technology. To assist workers in adjusting to new responsibilities and technology, businesses should fund ongoing training and development programmes. Workers whose positions are most vulnerable to automation should be retrained in new skills.

Encourage a Mindset of Continuous Learning and Innovation: An organisation may remain nimble by fostering a culture of lifelong learning. In addition to offering formal training opportunities, it is important to foster an environment that encourages employees to be curious, try new things, and explore new ideas.

Utilise Data for Workforce Planning: Businesses may have a better grasp of how technology advancements could affect their employees by using data analytics. Strategic choices about the deployment of new technology and the identification of workforce sectors in need of retraining or restructuring may be informed by this.

Workplace Flexibility: Remote work, variable hours, and project-based positions are just a few examples of the ways in which technology has made it easier to create a more adaptable work environment. Organisations may boost efficiency, save expenses, and improve personnel acquisition and retention by using these techniques.

Consider for Ethical Considerations: Organisations should think about the ethical ramifications of new technologies when they roll them out, especially with relation to data security, privacy, and treating workers fairly. To foster trust and maintain a healthy company culture, it is important to establish transparent rules and ethical standards for the use of technology.

Strategic Workforce Planning: Businesses can anticipate their staffing requirements by looking forward to the ways in which technology may alter the nature of their employment. Job descriptions and career pathways will need to be rethought in light of this newfound knowledge about the relative strengths of humans and machines.

HR Role in the Advent of Technological Unemployment

Implementing change management strategies within the framework of digital transformation is known as digital change management (Boatman, 2024). As a guide to adaptation, change management assists individuals in embracing, adapting to, and implementing change. HR as change agent in organisations has a strategic role here.

Human Resources must make sure that everyone is informed about the change, its advantages, and any potential effects it may have on teams and people in a clear, consistent, and transparent manner. This aids in controlling employee expectations and lowering uncertainty.

When it comes to digital transformation, HR can play a key role in getting executives at all levels on the same page. It is important for leaders to have the skills to successfully explain changes, build trust, and drive their staff as they go through this shift.

Getting workers involved in the digital transformation process from the beginning, both in planning and execution, may help them feel more connected to the change and more comfortable with it. Human resources may provide up opportunities for workers to share their thoughts and opinions by organising forums, seminars, and feedback sessions.

The best way to get your staff ready to use new technology and procedures is to provide them plenty of chances to learn and grow. up order to fill up the gaps in workers' skill sets, HR should conduct needs assessments and design specialised training programmes.

These support systems may make it easier for workers to adjust to new work practices and technology.

Facilitating easier transitions is possible via the identification and training of change champions inside the organisation. By setting an example and offering advice and encouragement, these champions may aid their colleagues in making sense of and adjusting to change.

HR may make timely modifications to change management strategies by continuously evaluating the progress of the digital transformation and gathering input from workers. Finding and resolving any unanticipated obstacles or opposition is another benefit of this.

 Conclusion

 More than ever before, HR must act as a strategic partner to help companies adapt to the constantly-changing nature of work brought about by technological advancements. Even if new technologies have the potential to eliminate certain jobs, they also open up whole new fields of work and allow for the evolution of current positions. Human resources experts may spearhead these changes because:

References

Boatman, A., 2024. HR’s Guide to Digital Change Management. [Online]
Available at: https://www.aihr.com/blog/digital-change-management/
[Accessed 12 April 2024].

Guardian, (2016.) Amazon Go means more than just job losses, it will restructure the economy. [Online]

Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2016/dec/09/amazon-go-means-more-than-just-job-losses-it-will-restructure-the-economy
[Accessed 12 April 2024].

Rockwell Automation, (2023). Robots for the economy: What is Technological Unemployment?. 

[Online]

Available at: https://ottomotors.com/blog/technological-unemployment-robots/
[Accessed 12 April 2024].

Somers, M., Theodorakopoulos, A. & Hötte, K., (2022). The fear of technology-driven unemployment and its empirical base. [Online]

Available at: https://cepr.org/voxeu/columns/fear-technology-driven-unemployment-and-its-empirical-base
[Accessed 12 April 2024].

SHRM, (2020). How AI and Automation Will Transform the Future of Work. [Online]

Available at: https://www.shrm.org/topics-tools/news/all-things-work/technology-future-work-way-will-go
[Accessed 12 April 2024].

Comments

  1. Good attempt. hr can ensure a smooth transaction for employees into the future of work

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. Thank you! I totally agree. HR plays a key role in making sure employees transition smoothly into the changing world of work. Your comment is appreciated!

      Delete
  2. This blog post does a great job of highlighting the vital role that HR departments play in encouraging diversity and inclusion at businesses, particularly in light of technological unemployment. It offers HR practitioners doable tactics to advance diversity and inclusivity by highlighting the significance of inclusive recruitment procedures and tackling biases in selection.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for your valuable comment.Absolutely! HR teams are super important in making sure everyone feels included at work, especially when jobs are changing because of technology. This blog shows how HR folks can help by hiring in a fair way and making sure biases don't get in the way of picking the best people for the job. It's like giving them a roadmap to make their workplace more diverse and welcoming for everyone.

      Delete
  3. This blog provides valuable insights into the HR perspective on technological unemployment, highlighting the opportunities and challenges it presents for organizations and employees alike. It encourages readers to reflect on the role of HR in shaping a more sustainable and human-centric approach to workforce management in the age of automation and AI.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. Thank you for your kind words! I'm glad you found the blog insightful. If you have any questions or want to discuss further, feel free to reach out

      Delete
  4. Explained the HR perspectives on technological unemployment. Also, explore the impact of technology on jobs.HR experts can make the changes and ensure a smooth transition for employees by engaging this theory.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. Thank you for sharing your thoughts! I appreciate your interest in HR perspectives on technological unemployment and the impact of technology on jobs. HR experts indeed play a crucial role in navigating these changes and ensuring that employees transition smoothly. If you have any more insights or questions, feel free to share!

      Delete
  5. This blog provides a comprehensive examination of the impact of technology on unemployment, offering insightful strategies for organizational adaptation. It's crucial for companies to prioritize employee training and development to navigate technological shifts effectively. Encouraging a culture of continuous learning and innovation fosters adaptability, while data-driven workforce planning informs strategic decisions. Embracing workplace flexibility and ethical considerations ensures a smooth transition, while HR's role as a change agent is pivotal in facilitating digital transformation. By empowering employees and fostering transparency, HR plays a strategic role in guiding organizations through the evolving landscape of work.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for your thoughtful comment! I'm glad you found the blog helpful in understanding the impact of technology on unemployment and strategies for organizations to adapt. It's crucial for companies to focus on training and developing their employees to cope with these changes. Encouraging continuous learning and innovation, along with using data for planning, can make a big difference. HR's role in guiding this transformation is key, and by empowering employees and being transparent, HR helps steer organizations through these shifts in the workplace. If you have any more insights to share, feel free to do so!

      Delete
  6. when AI comes into play a huge role in organisations yes there is a risk of job loss as the work done by technology. but there will be ways and means to overcome them, good attempt in the topic very detailed of AI, well done...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for your encouraging words! I'm glad you found the discussion on AI detailed and informative. While there's a risk of job loss with the rise of AI, there are also ways to overcome it. It's essential for organizations to explore these solutions to ensure a smooth transition. If you have any further thoughts or questions, feel free to share!

      Delete
  7. Thanks for sharing this comprehensive and insightful exploration of technological unemployment. As a data scientist, I find the detailed analysis of how AI and automation impact job markets especially fascinating. It’s clear that while technology presents challenges like job displacement, it also offers opportunities for creating new job roles and enhancing workforce skills. The emphasis on strategic adaptation and continuous learning within organisations is particularly pertinent. This article serves as a valuable resource for anyone involved in shaping workplace strategies in the digital age. Great work on covering such a complex topic effectively!

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