One of the most frequently cited arguments against automation and robotization of production is employees’ concerns about whether they will keep their jobs. Many of them imagine that this process will result in massive job cuts in the company and that they will become redundant because their jobs will be taken over by machines. However, this scenario does not have to become a reality. Well-executed and coordinated automation in industry will not only not cause employees to lose their jobs, but may also contribute to improving their qualifications and job satisfaction.
Automation of repetitive employee tasks
The specific nature of industrial work means that many people’s tasks often boil down to repeating the same activity over and over again every day. Industrial production lines consist of a series of interconnected links, which are made up of employees performing precisely defined movements. This applies to millions of companies around the world, from the food industry to heavy industry. These tasks are often not complicated, so they do not require much creative involvement and, as a result, do not give the employee much satisfaction. The automation of production processes usually affects these types of jobs first. Machines can perform the simplest, yet most monotonous and time-consuming tasks, while employees can use their acquired skills in other ways, in other positions. Their specialist knowledge can be useful in other departments, where they will be able to demonstrate greater competence than before, which will also improve their job satisfaction and allow for their professional development.
Safety – automation of hazardous tasks
Automation in a warehouse or industrial plant may also involve workstations that pose a potential threat to the life or health of employees. Working with high-powered machines or in specific conditions means that employees are exposed to danger every day. One inaccurate movement or moment of inattention can lead, for example, to a limb being pulled into the equipment the person is working with. Any work carried out in places with high air temperatures also poses a particular health risk. Robotization for companies in these areas of production will therefore not only improve employee satisfaction and well-being, but above all their safety. The design and construction of machines with precise parameters tailored to individual needs enables the implementation of automated solutions without compromising the quality of the work performed, while increasing the comfort of the employees.
Automation as support for employees
Concerns among employees about job losses are natural. An important issue that would help alleviate these concerns, but is sometimes overlooked by entrepreneurs, is proper communication with employees. Automated workstations do not necessarily lead to job cuts. Technology is not infallible and cannot work completely independently. Each automated production line requires specific settings or supervision, and therefore human intervention. It is the entrepreneur’s task to explain to their employees that automation in a manufacturing company may not be a threat to them, but an opportunity. It creates new jobs, offering greater opportunities for development and improving qualifications. A more advantageous option for entrepreneurs is to invest in training and find suitable specialists among existing employees rather than looking for personnel outside the company. The skills acquired in this way will also increase the employee’s competence, which may also be useful in the future if they change jobs. Improving qualifications usually also means better financial conditions.
Investing in new technologies and automated solutions in your company can therefore be an investment in your employees’ skills and careers. It will make their daily work safer and more satisfying. However, it is important to inform your staff about this in order to avoid unnecessary fears and concerns about the future.