Cover Image
QR Code

In tech we trust...International Society for Gerontechnology's (ISG) 12th World Conference of Gerontechnology, October 6-9, 2020 (Virtual)

Purpose Today, digitalization is being introduced on a large scale in the Swedish welfare sector, often without analyzing the consequences for the work environment. In the upcoming decade, the Swedish welfare sector is facing major challenges due to the ageing population and a shrinking labor force,...

Full description

Published in:Gerontechnology Vol. 19; pp. 47 - 48
Main Author: Enbuske, A. S.
Format: abstract proceedings research Journal Article
Published: International Society for Gerontechnology 2020 Supplement
Online Access:View this record in EBSCOhost
fields @attributes:
  recordID: 1
pdfLink:
plink: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ccm&AN=155639936&site=ehost-live
header:
  @attributes:
    shortDbName: ccm
    uiTerm: 155639936
    longDbName: CINAHL Complete
    uiTag: AN
  controlInfo:
    bkinfo:
    dissinfo:
    jinfo:
      jid:
        15691101
        904R
      jtl: Gerontechnology
      issn: 15691101
      maglogo: N
    pubinfo:
      dt: 2020 Supplement
      vid: 19
      pid: 54298
      pub: International Society for Gerontechnology
    artinfo:
      ui:
        155639936
        155639936
        155639936
        10.4017/gt.2020.19.s.69883.4
        155639936
      ppf: 47
      ppct: 1
      formats:
      tig:
        atl: In tech we trust...International Society for Gerontechnology's (ISG) 12th World Conference of Gerontechnology, October 6-9, 2020 (Virtual)
      aug:
        au: Enbuske, A. S.
        affil: Swedish Municipal Worker's Union -- Kommunal, The Research Department, Stockholm, Sweden
      sug:
        subj:
          Health and Welfare Planning Sweden
          Work Environment
          Personnel Shortage
          Digital Technology Utilization
          Congresses and Conferences
          Sweden
      ab: Purpose Today, digitalization is being introduced on a large scale in the Swedish welfare sector, often without analyzing the consequences for the work environment. In the upcoming decade, the Swedish welfare sector is facing major challenges due to the ageing population and a shrinking labor force, which results in reduced tax revenues. When, looking at the demand side, the welfare services need to recruit 500 000 new employees - almost 200 000 employees to compensate for the demographic change and more than 300 000 employees because of retirement, according to The Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions (Sveriges Kommuner och Landsting, 2018, p. 23). Seen from the supply side, Statistics Sweden estimates a growing labor shortage among welfare professionals. (Statistics Sweden, 2017, p. 44). Also, due to bad working conditions within elderly care, about 25 percent of Kommunal's members consider changing occupation. (Kommunal, 201 8, p. 4). In this situation digitalization is looked upon as one important solution on the labor shortage. Consequently, the SKL hopes the technological development will replace more than 70 000 employees due to improved efficiency within the services. (Sveriges Kommuner och Landsting, 2018, p. 35). This article presents the results of a survey carried out by Kommunal, one of Sweden's largest trade unions, focusing on trade union safety representatives' involvement when employers introduce new digital systems and surveillance techniques in workplaces. Method The increase in the use of digital systems and surveillance technique has raised Kommunal's concerns in connection with the workers' working environment. To get a better picture of the situation, Kommunal designed a survey to all senior safety representatives, focusing on digitalization and personal integrity at the workplace. A survey on digitalization, working environment and personal integrity at the workplaces was conducted. Results and Discussion The results show a situation characterized by i) an extensive exclusion of work environmental questions when introducing digital techniques; ii) an absence of impact assessments in connection with the introduction and implementation of digital systems at the workplace; iii) a lack of knowledge about the impact of surveillance in connection with personal integrity among the safety representatives; iv) a variation of experiences of surveillance across fields; v) a need of empowering the workers and limit the employers' monitoring of work. (Spant Enbuske, 2019).
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype:
        abstract
        proceedings
        research
        Journal Article
      ougenre: Article
    language: English
    refInfo:
    holdings:
      @attributes:
        islocal: N