The Quantified Worker: Law and Technology in the Modern Workplace

The information revolution has led to the quantification of the workforce, with big data and AI used to surveil workers, personality job tests calibrating mental state, social media monitoring, and surveillance of the workplace measuring social behavior. This book explores how this threatens individual personhood and advocates for changes in the law to mitigate the ill effects of the modern workplace.

Format: Hardback
Length: 250 pages
Publication date: 11 May 2023
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

The information revolution has brought about a significant transformation in the workplace, driven by the power of data and advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and big data. This shift has led to a data-driven reorganization of the workplace, where employers utilize these tools to monitor and assess their employees in various ways. One notable aspect of this transformation is the use of surveillance technologies, including big data and AI, to monitor workers and shift risk. Employers use these technologies to track employee performance, monitor social media activity, and even surveil the workplace to identify potential security threats.

Another aspect of the information revolution is the implementation of workplace wellness programs. These programs aim to assess the health and well-being of employees by collecting data on various factors, such as physical activity, diet, and mental health. Employers use this data to develop personalized wellness plans and provide resources to support employees' physical and mental health.

In addition to surveillance and wellness programs, personality job tests are also being used to calibrate employees' mental state. These tests aim to identify individuals' strengths, weaknesses, and personality traits, which can then be used to optimize their performance and productivity. Employers believe that understanding employees' mental state can help them make better decisions and improve teamwork.

Furthermore, the monitoring of social media and surveillance of the workplace are used to measure employees' social behavior. Employers use social media analytics to monitor employee activity, track brand reputation, and identify potential risks. Surveillance of the workplace is also used to monitor employee behavior and identify potential safety hazards.

While these technologies have brought about many benefits, they also raise concerns about the erosion of individual personhood in the modern workplace. The Quantified Worker, a book by Ifeoma Ajunwa, explores this issue in depth. Ajunwa argues that the workforce science of today goes far beyond increasing efficiency and threatens to erase individual personhood. She provides exhaustive detail on how different forms of worker quantification are enabled, facilitated, and driven by technological advances.

The book advocates for changes in the law that will mitigate the ill effects of the modern workplace. Ajunwa calls for greater transparency and accountability in the use of data and technology, as well as the protection of employee privacy and rights. She also suggests that employers should prioritize the well-being of their employees and create a work environment that fosters creativity, innovation, and collaboration.

In conclusion, the information revolution has brought about a significant transformation in the workplace, driven by the power of data and advanced technologies. While these technologies have brought about many benefits, they also raise concerns about the erosion of individual personhood. The Quantified Worker provides a timely and eye-opening exploration of this issue, advocating for changes in the law that will mitigate the ill effects of the modern workplace and prioritize the well-being of employees.

ISBN-13: 9781107186033