Question

why do people think it is not ethical for companies switching to automation?

Answer 1

Here is why people think it is not ethical for companies to switch to automation:

• People think it is not ethical when automation replaces or takes away the jobs. It also is known as automation anxiety and many developing and labour dependent countries feel the same.
• The fear is that the automation will replace the teams and all creative, customer feedback, admin role will be taken over by the technology.
• In such cases, they feel since it harms both the people & society it is unethical.
• Automation should not impact the core valued of the organisation & if it does it can lead to people believing that switching to automation is unethical.

To add to the above here are other activities which companies take while switching to automation which makes the entire process feel unethical:

• Not accepting it as a driver for growth & increase in productivity. Companies should be clear and honest on their preference for automation.
• Companies not taking an active role to support team members, notifying the workers in advanced for the closures & engaging impacted team members in the creation of support program.
• Companies don't openly communicate with all stakeholders like employees, unions, government etc.

I believe it is the use of automation and if it used for purposes which are not ethical it should be questioned. Automation at large is a tool & not a behaviour and hence it can improve the working in the team.

People need to believe it can open an opportunity for team members to get further training to allow it to help in the progression of the career.

It is important for companies & organisation to make sure they are taking care of people, valuing them and providing customer satisfaction with a focus on safety, environment and community at large. Any unethical practices at these ends will make people believe that the decision of automation is to replace such priorities and hence it is unethical.

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