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Increasingly businesses are using wearable mini-computers which help staff working in warehouses identify goods, avoid errors and provide immediate data on re-stocking. The GMB says that such devices are turning workers into "battery hens" and that they are used to monitor staff and make sure they are not taking longer than the permitted breaks when, for instance, they use the toilets.
However the FPB, which represents 25,000 small and medium sized businesses across the UK, said that the union campaign was "hysterical". Nick Goulding, Chief Executive of the FPB, argued that the union had produced no evidence that the technology dehumanised workers or that it was used to monitor and bully workers.
"The main purpose of such technology is to make companies more efficient in order to compete effectively and safeguard the jobs of GMB members", said Mr Goulding. "But as to employers misusing technology the GMB provides no evidence in its press release or its rather lightweight report that this is happening".
Mr Goulding said that some FPB members used new technology to monitor their employers in order to make sure that they were complying with health and safety regulations regarding the hours they worked, and also to be able to demonstrate that the company was paying above the minimum wage.
"It is absolutely right that employers should use technology to monitor individual workers,' he said. "This is especially important if bosses feel that the company is not receiving " a fair day's pay for a fair day's wages", or that some staff are having to do more than their fair share because another worker was lazy and incompetent."
Mr Goulding pointed out that in its press release the union had called up supermarkets to "operate a humanized supply chain". He said that this appeared to be "a Luddite call to scrap the technology". The release also said this should be done quickly "otherwise the GMB will ensure that the shelves do not get filled". However, instead of "issuing threats" the union needed "to do some proper research and talk to employers and its members".
"We have good industrial relations in this country, but the GMB is "lurching to the left and reminding us of the ‘ bad old days'. "
Contact:
Tell us what you think about this issue. Email us at feedback@fpb.org
For further information, contact Ben Pinnington at the FPB press office on 01565 626019 / 07887 562900 or via email at ben.pinnington@fpb.org |
