Employees feel through digitalization burdened more than relieved
For the Good Work Index 2022 of the German Trade Union Confederation (DGB), 6,700 employees were surveyed on the topic of digitization in the world of work. More than 80 percent of those surveyed actually work with digital work equipment, but only nine percent of those surveyed feel relieved by this. A total of 40 percent feel more burdened than before by the increasing digitization of their work. A growing workload, more multitasking and technical disruptions are named as the greatest stress factors. However, the increasing control and monitoring at the workplace due to digitization has also increased, according to 33 percent of those surveyed.
“The potential of digitization is used far too little”
Yasmin Fahimi, chairwoman of the DGB, is of the opinion that the survey is an alarm signal and that the potential of digitization is not being used enough. Fahimi also says in the press release from the DGB that digitization should bring support and relief instead of burdening employees, creating stress and thus increasing the risk of mental illness. In relation to the shortage of skilled workers, Germany cannot afford the further burden on employees, according to the DGB, employees must be more involved in the decision-making processes regarding digitization. At the end of the day, it is the workers who are the experts on both their work and their well-being. According to the survey, three quarters of those surveyed have no influence on how digital technology is used in their workplace.
Co-determination and participation can ensure better working conditions
83 percent use digital tools in their work, most commonly these are digital means of communication (79 percent), but 21 percent of those surveyed already work with artificial intelligence. Mainly due to the digitization boost caused by Corona, 56 percent of those surveyed regularly use video conferences. For many employees, however, this is accompanied by increased work intensification. 74 percent report a growing number of video conferences and 26 percent often several video conferences in a row without a break. But the DGB survey shows that co-determination and participation can ensure better working conditions. Yasmin Fahimi explains: “Where there is a works council, there is much less surveillance of the employees through digital technology.” However, the direct participation of employees in the digital transformation is still not well developed, only 26 percent are able to do so. But where there are opportunities to participate, digitization is also rated much more positively. Here, employees report more scope for decision-making and less monitoring and control by their superiors. This makes it easier to control the workload and employees automatically feel better.
F. Traina / Editor finanzen.net
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