Industrial Automation Magazine India

Technology and the workplace Putting people first

Published on : Wednesday 03-06-2020

Shaping a future of work where people can thrive is essential for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Geneva, June 2, 2020 – Over 20 global member companies of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) have collaborated to develop shared business principles aimed at putting people first when it comes to the impact of technology on how work is carried out by direct employees, contract and temporary workers, and workers throughout the supply chain. This includes automation, digitization, AI, machine learning, ICT, platform technologies, IoT, virtual & augmented reality, 3D/4D printing, and more.

The business principles for people-centred technology transformation call for companies to:

1- Respect workers’ rights when developing and implementing new technology

2- Engage workers in technology transformation, by communicating transparently, consulting with workers and involving them in the design and adoption of technologies

3- Empower workers to benefit from new technology, through learning, training and support, by ensuring inclusion and by fairly sharing the benefits of tech-driven improvements.

Shaping a future of work where people can thrive is essential for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. The combination of rapid technological evolution, socio-economic polarization and the shifting expectations of workers have been the main drivers shaping the world of work over the past years. Predictions abound on how many jobs may be displaced by technology and there are numerous scenarios trying to visualize what the future of work may look like, what work may look like, and where we may be carrying out our work.

The Covid-19 pandemic is accelerating the uptake of technological solutions across business, workplaces and private life. Numerous technologies enabling business continuity across value chains while minimizing personal exposure have seen unprecedented growth rates. At the same time, assessing or preparing for the impact of these solutions being deployed at unprecedented speed and scale is an ongoing challenge.

Some WBCSD members are already using the principles to guide the development of corporate technology strategies and policies. Suphachai Chearavanont, CEO of Charoen Pokphand (C.P.) Group, said: “C.P. Group will join hands with WBCSD and its members to promote an inclusive ‘Future of Work’ through constructive engagement with all stakeholders based on the ‘Future of Work Principles.’  These Principles will guide us to groom our next generation of leaders, who utilize technology in a responsible manner while maximizing its impacts in order to combat inequality and mitigate climate change.  In doing so, C.P. Group is also a strong and optimistic believer in the value of public-private partnerships as an important catalyst to achieve our goals.”

Peter Bakker, WBCSD President & CEO, commented: “As companies learn to adapt to our ‘new normal’, we have seen that technology has played a huge role in enabling business resilience. Now is the time to shape the future and ensure that it is people centric. The principles aim to inform and guide technology-related business decisions, ensuring that technology benefits workers, now and for the years to come. Adopting these principles will help companies to build the ongoing trust, preparedness and resilience of their own workforce, attract and retain the best talent, stay ahead of the curve on expectations and regulations, and contribute to a thriving workforce, company, labour market and society.”