Automation in the Workplace: Employee Perspectives

As automation increasingly becomes a fixture in modern workplaces, employees hold varied opinions about its role and potential impact. While companies across industries are embracing a “digital-first” approach to increase efficiency and offset labor shortages, employees face a mix of anticipation and anxiety about the future.

Automation has undeniably proven itself to perform certain tasks faster, more accurately, and at a lower cost than humans. Proponents argue that automating mundane, repetitive tasks frees workers to engage in more meaningful, strategic activities. Despite these advantages, workers continue to express concerns about how automation might impact their job security and professional futures.

A study conducted by KPMG during the pandemic revealed that two-thirds of U.S. workers were concerned about their jobs due to increasing automation. Many employers had introduced automation to streamline processes and cut costs, heightening employee anxiety.

Familiarity Breeds Optimism

Finance and accounting are prime candidates for automation, with a McKinsey study noting that 42% of finance-related tasks can already be automated, with an additional 19% potentially automatable. To better understand how workers perceive this transition, Tradeshift surveyed accounting professionals across the U.S., UK, Germany, and France.

Interestingly, the majority of employees do not see automation as a threat. Tradeshift’s findings show that nearly 71% of respondents believe that automation has positively impacted their job satisfaction. In countries with higher levels of automation, workers tend to feel more secure about their job prospects and are generally more satisfied with their work. For example, in the U.S., where 72% of respondents noted high levels of automation in their departments, 75% of workers reported job satisfaction. Conversely, in Europe, where automation adoption is lower, job satisfaction correlates with this trend: 55% in the UK, 44% in France, and 40% in Germany.

Higher Pay, Less Stress

While many workers initially feared automation, these concerns may be misplaced. The most common complaints among workers are mundane tasks, long hours, and overwhelming workloads. Automation is poised to alleviate these pain points by handling tedious, low-value tasks like data entry and error correction, which frequently lead to bottlenecks.

Tradeshift’s survey revealed that workers view automation as a solution to these issues, citing the removal of repetitive tasks as a key factor in boosting job satisfaction. Additionally, many respondents believe that automation will allow them to advance in their careers more quickly while maintaining a healthier work-life balance.

Could Robots Be the Boss?

One might assume employees would resist taking orders from machines, but many workers have expressed a surprising level of trust in automated systems. In fact, nearly half of U.S. and UK respondents believe that software might make better supervisors than their current human managers. The rationale is that technology can be more efficient at problem-solving, reviewing work, and making objective decisions.

A Historical Perspective

Adapting to change is never easy, and the introduction of new technologies has always disrupted the status quo. Historically, as certain tasks become automated, it has opened up opportunities for higher-skilled and better-paying jobs. This trend continues today, as the shift toward automation challenges employers to rethink entry-level positions and career paths. To maximize the benefits of technology, organizations must also invest in training and upskilling their employees.

While automation continues to evolve, it will not eliminate the need for human workers. Instead, it is expected to create opportunities for roles that require higher levels of skill and expertise, ultimately benefiting both employees and businesses.