The Impacts of Robots on Employment
Robots have begun to enter the workforce in many ways – from cleaning different floor types to helping manage your prescriptions at pharmacies. Automated tasks are rising that will impact many jobs in the future. But that doesn’t mean you will be out of a job. For example, in a large facility with open spaces, the robot can get to work while the human cleaner can detail clean smaller areas. E.g. bathrooms, benches and eating areas.
Robots haven’t just created new job, they will create a business with new opportunities. We are still learning and understanding the entire impact of robots to this industry.
Improved Safety
Robots have the ability to tackle work that is dangerous, difficult or risky.
Automatic cleaning machines are a great example of where robots can perform tasks that are difficult or risky for human beings. Keeping a floor clean in a retail environment, negotiating between the people as well as the style of layout, can be difficult. As well the cleaning tasks itself can be repetitive, with increase foot traffic the person is cleaning the same area over and over. The robot can continually do the path without boredom.
Adding a robot to your employee listing to complete tasks that are dangerous, difficult or risky for human beings can also free employees to do the higher-level work that still requires a thinking human brain: stocking shelves, creating intriguing displays, and interacting with customers.
Increased Efficiency
Efficiency means better sales, which can translate into more work hours and more enjoyable tasks for employees.
There would be some managers who may use automation as a reason to cut hour or roster down however, successful leader will see this an opportunity to leverage productivity. Consider this scenario:
Some of your staff’s responsibilities include unpacking pallets to restock shelves. The quicker it is unpacked, the quicker the stock can be shelved. Implementing an automatic unloading system allows staff to be more efficient with re-shelving and more product available for staff. This then decreases the Workplace Health & Safety component of heavy lifting and carrying. On appearance, the store looks better because the shelves are always stocked.
Variety within the work day is paramount to job satisfaction and retention for employees. Employing a robot to do the repitive tasks, means employees are more fulfilled, have better customer service therefore resulting in higher revenue for businesses.
New, Different Jobs
This new revolution of robots isn’t about having fewer jobs in the workforce. It is about creating different jobs.
Rewind to the 1970s where no one could foresee jobs we today don’t second guess – programming, designing, gaming. The style of job will always continue to change but that doesn’t mean there are less jobs overall.
As we enter into a Robotic society, people will be required to maintain and repair the machine, as well as continually update the technology used. In order to updates to occur, someone needs to analyse the data that has been produced to see where improvements can be made. New jobs have just been created. The telephone industry is flat, but the telecommunications with broadband and NBN is booming. Restaurants are busier than ever with UberEats, Menulog, Deliveroo. McDonalds offering McDelivery and robotic ordering machines.
Looking back at the past, we see a future of robots and more jobs, we’re just not sure where.
