Table 4.

Ethical considerations of technology use in the future of decent work

Underlying key ethical principle(s)Decent work conditionAspirational ethical objectives to support decent work
Nonmaleficence and beneficenceSecurity
  • Design and use new technology or data sources without harm to workers

  • Integrate extensive testing of the physical and psychological effects of technology into its design

  • Continuously monitor the health and well-being effects of technology in the workplace

  • Willingly forego the use of new technology if the adverse effects for workers are too severe

  • Consider workers as active consumers of work-related technology

  • Broaden labor regulations to provide enhanced social protections, job-search support, and additional interventions that increase workers’ sense of personal agency

AutonomyFreedom
  • Prioritize human-centered design

  • Embed social and behavioral theories in technology development and evaluation

  • Pursue participative approaches that involve employers, management, and workers

  • Respect workers’ freedom of choice, particularly with respect to augmentation

JusticeEquity
  • Proactively recruit workers disproportionately affected by technology to upskilling and reskilling opportunities

  • Build workers’ sense of psychological ownership

  • Foster clear and open two-way communication about technology

  • Enable direct employee participation in decision-making related to technology

  • Solicit ongoing employee feedback

  • Provide training and development opportunities related to new technology

Respect for personsHuman dignity
  • Engage in human-centered digitalization strategies

  • Protect workers’ privacy

  • Enhance data security measures

  • Facilitate natural human–robot interaction

Underlying key ethical principle(s)Decent work conditionAspirational ethical objectives to support decent work
Nonmaleficence and beneficenceSecurity
  • Design and use new technology or data sources without harm to workers

  • Integrate extensive testing of the physical and psychological effects of technology into its design

  • Continuously monitor the health and well-being effects of technology in the workplace

  • Willingly forego the use of new technology if the adverse effects for workers are too severe

  • Consider workers as active consumers of work-related technology

  • Broaden labor regulations to provide enhanced social protections, job-search support, and additional interventions that increase workers’ sense of personal agency

AutonomyFreedom
  • Prioritize human-centered design

  • Embed social and behavioral theories in technology development and evaluation

  • Pursue participative approaches that involve employers, management, and workers

  • Respect workers’ freedom of choice, particularly with respect to augmentation

JusticeEquity
  • Proactively recruit workers disproportionately affected by technology to upskilling and reskilling opportunities

  • Build workers’ sense of psychological ownership

  • Foster clear and open two-way communication about technology

  • Enable direct employee participation in decision-making related to technology

  • Solicit ongoing employee feedback

  • Provide training and development opportunities related to new technology

Respect for personsHuman dignity
  • Engage in human-centered digitalization strategies

  • Protect workers’ privacy

  • Enhance data security measures

  • Facilitate natural human–robot interaction

Table 4.

Ethical considerations of technology use in the future of decent work

Underlying key ethical principle(s)Decent work conditionAspirational ethical objectives to support decent work
Nonmaleficence and beneficenceSecurity
  • Design and use new technology or data sources without harm to workers

  • Integrate extensive testing of the physical and psychological effects of technology into its design

  • Continuously monitor the health and well-being effects of technology in the workplace

  • Willingly forego the use of new technology if the adverse effects for workers are too severe

  • Consider workers as active consumers of work-related technology

  • Broaden labor regulations to provide enhanced social protections, job-search support, and additional interventions that increase workers’ sense of personal agency

AutonomyFreedom
  • Prioritize human-centered design

  • Embed social and behavioral theories in technology development and evaluation

  • Pursue participative approaches that involve employers, management, and workers

  • Respect workers’ freedom of choice, particularly with respect to augmentation

JusticeEquity
  • Proactively recruit workers disproportionately affected by technology to upskilling and reskilling opportunities

  • Build workers’ sense of psychological ownership

  • Foster clear and open two-way communication about technology

  • Enable direct employee participation in decision-making related to technology

  • Solicit ongoing employee feedback

  • Provide training and development opportunities related to new technology

Respect for personsHuman dignity
  • Engage in human-centered digitalization strategies

  • Protect workers’ privacy

  • Enhance data security measures

  • Facilitate natural human–robot interaction

Underlying key ethical principle(s)Decent work conditionAspirational ethical objectives to support decent work
Nonmaleficence and beneficenceSecurity
  • Design and use new technology or data sources without harm to workers

  • Integrate extensive testing of the physical and psychological effects of technology into its design

  • Continuously monitor the health and well-being effects of technology in the workplace

  • Willingly forego the use of new technology if the adverse effects for workers are too severe

  • Consider workers as active consumers of work-related technology

  • Broaden labor regulations to provide enhanced social protections, job-search support, and additional interventions that increase workers’ sense of personal agency

AutonomyFreedom
  • Prioritize human-centered design

  • Embed social and behavioral theories in technology development and evaluation

  • Pursue participative approaches that involve employers, management, and workers

  • Respect workers’ freedom of choice, particularly with respect to augmentation

JusticeEquity
  • Proactively recruit workers disproportionately affected by technology to upskilling and reskilling opportunities

  • Build workers’ sense of psychological ownership

  • Foster clear and open two-way communication about technology

  • Enable direct employee participation in decision-making related to technology

  • Solicit ongoing employee feedback

  • Provide training and development opportunities related to new technology

Respect for personsHuman dignity
  • Engage in human-centered digitalization strategies

  • Protect workers’ privacy

  • Enhance data security measures

  • Facilitate natural human–robot interaction

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