Shaping the future of work collectively

Shaping the future of work collectively, International Politics and Society

(26 July 2018) A recent article for International Politics and Society by Julian Hale explores how trade unions anticipate the introduction of new technology at the workplace.

Digitalisation has become increasingly important in the workplace. The anticipation of how technologies will be introduced is key in a developing working environment, as well as ensuring that workers have a say in how technologies are used at work.

EPSU continues to assess the impact of digitalisation while advocating collective bargaining as one of the key tools that protects workers' rights when faced with digitalisation. EPSU pushes for workers to be informed and consulted before new technologies are introduced in order to prevent the negative effects that may arise.

The right to disconnect is in addition a key issue when looking at the impact of digitalisation in the workplace. With technologies such as smartphones and applications such WhatsApp and social media, the boundaries of when to disconnect may become blurred. EPSU aims to ensure that all workers have the right to disconnect, and that there are clear boundaries set between free time and working time.

There are many issues surrounding the implementation of new technologies in the work place, different ways in which  trade unions can work to anticipate new technologies coming in and to ensure that workers have certain basic rights.