Older workers, technology and the balance of power: an ethical review

Abstract

The introduction of technology and ICTs changed the workplace and working conditions forever and the balance of power has shifted towards employers and away from employees. This raises the question that, if in one hand, offering digital services to older workers sounds like the perfect solution for them to remain active at work for longer and with enhanced quality of life, is it that clear that workers will be willing to be constantly monitored, even if for their own support? This paper will, at first, provide a short overview of the ongoing ethical discussions concerning the work environment and the use of technologies. Next, it will approach the topic of older workers and the introduction of tailor-made digital services to achieve workability sustenance. Special focus will be provided on how to tackle the ethical issues of the introduction of these services with regard to the balance of power between employers and employees at the workplace. In this sense, the main question for this paper will be: "What is needed to tackle ethical challenges raised by the balance of power at the workplace that may imply on the introduction of digital services to older workers, with the aim to achieve broad acceptance and usage of these services?" For this purpose, the development of project Smartwork (Horizon 2020) will provide new and relevant data on this subject.