Page 2: Working Conditions
Unit 3, Lab 5, Page 2
pink box new. –MF, 12/21/17
MF: could use review/light revision; tough to have 2.17 SI labs back to back
On this page, you will consider two ways that technology is changing the employment experience.
Computers can affect the style of work, even if they don’t take your job away.
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Here are some ways employers use technology to monitor their employees. What are some pros and cons of these policies?
- Block access to certain websites, like social media (like Facebook or Twitter), game sites, or other sites they deem inappropriate or offensive.
- Monitor email use of employees, including reading email messages.
- Use video surveillance to prevent theft.
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On-demand businesses existed before the Internet, but technology has helped grow an ‘’on-demand economy.’’ Many on-demand companies do not have regular employees, but hire independent contractors. This gives workers great flexibility about when they work, but costs them benefits like sick pay, health insurance, collective bargaining, job stability, or unemployment insurance if they are fired.
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Research the on-demand economy. Here are some resources to get you started.
- A longer article, but with lots of information: The ‘On-Demand Economy’ Is Reshaping Companies And Careers (businessinsider.com)
- Even More Labor Complaints Filed against On-Demand Companies (wired.com)
- An example of how, even though drivers aren’t employees, Uber monitors them like employees: Uber Using Phone Data to Track How Fast Drivers are Going (wired.com)
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Below are four statements. Discuss and decide whether you agree or disagree.
- On-demand workers know what they’re signing up for, so they shouldn’t be suing these companies for not getting benefits.
- In general, you get better work out of people if they are dedicated and loyal to your company. Might it matter if a driver drives for both Uber and Lyft?
- The on-demand economy just helps the rich get richer and the poor get poorer.
- It is hard for a traditional company with employees to compete with the on-demand model.
- Think of an idea for an on-demand company you might launch.
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Here are some findings from a 2007 Electronic Monitoring and Surveillance Survey.