The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has warned intrusive worker surveillance technology and artificial intelligence risk spiralling out of control without stronger regulation to protect workers. <\/p>\n
According to research conducted by the TUC, most workers say they have experienced surveillance in the past year and overwhelmingly support stronger regulation.<\/p>\n
The computer scandal that saw some sub-postmasters wrongly jailed must be a turning point on uncritical use of worker-monitoring tech, the union organisation said.<\/p>\n
The Post Office scandal must be a turning point, said TUC general secretary Frances OGrady. Nobody should have their livelihood taken away by technology.<\/p>\n
The TUC also warned technologies could lead to widespread discrimination, work intensification, and unfair treatment if left unchecked.<\/p>\n
Employers are delegating serious decisions to algorithms, such as recruitment, promotions, and sometimes even sackings, OGrady said.<\/p>\n
The TUC said surveillance can include monitoring of emails and files, webcams on work computers, tracking of when and how much a worker is typing, calls made, and movements made by workers.<\/p>\n
According to the TUC, the creeping role of AI and tech-driven workplace surveillance is now spreading beyond the gig economy into the rest of the labour market.<\/p>\n
AI-powered technologies are even being used to analyse facial expressions, tone of voice, and accents to assess candidates suitability for roles, the report said.<\/p>\n
The TUC is calling for a statutory duty to consult trade unions before an employer introduces the use of AI and automated decision-making systems, alongside digital rights to improve transparency around the use of surveillance technology.<\/p>\n
Workers must be properly consulted on the use of AI and be protected from its punitive ways of working, OGrady insisted. Its time for ministers to bring forward the long-awaited Employment Bill to give workers a right to disconnect and properly switch off outside of working hours.<\/p>\n
A Government spokesperson said: The Government is wholeheartedly committed to improving and upholding workers rights.<\/p>\n
The UK has world-leading data protection laws, and the Information Commissioner has tough powers to investigate and fine companies which breach an employees right to privacy.<\/p>\n
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Unions call for regulation to protect workers from surveillance technology - E&T Magazine<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has warned intrusive worker surveillance technology and artificial intelligence risk spiralling out of control without stronger regulation to protect workers. Continue reading