When robots take over, workers lose more than just tasks

Finding the balance: Workplace automation has long promised to relieve humans of tedious tasks, freeing them to focus on more meaningful and satisfying work. Yet, as automation spreads across industries, new research raises doubts about whether robots truly improve the work lives of employees. Recent academic studies reveal a more complex reality. One investigation, led by Professor Milena Nikolova at the University of Groningen, analyzed data from across Europe and found that workers in highly automated sectors often experience a diminished sense of purpose. Rather than feeling free, many report their jobs have grown more monotonous – their autonomy eroded. Nikolova told the Financial Times that robots tend to standardize processes, leaving workers with fewer decisions about tasks and pace. This loss of agency, she argues, can seriously impact engagement and job satisfaction. The psychological effects of automation extend beyond Europe. A recent study of factory workers in China fou ... Read full article.