Psychosocial factors and implications for Occupational Safety and Health
This joint scientific report presents the Algorithmic Management and AI-based systems (ALMA-AI) project results. Launched within the Partnership for European Research in Occupational Safety and Health (PEROSH), the project focused on the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) implications of using complex digital technologies for worker management.
The introductory chapter describes the comprehensive literature review methodology, but also the scientific and practical relevance of the topic, as well as the background and objective of the ALMA-AI project, a collaborative effort that involved 18 researchers from eight national OSH institutes, alongside four experts from EU institutions as project advisers.
The subsequent chapter explains the project’s theoretical approach, covering both the conceptualisation of ‘Algorithmic Management’ (ALMA) and the psychosocial factors approach used to understand this emerging trend in the world of work. To this end, several assumptions and definitions from well-known theoretical models on psychosocial risks (Demand-Control-Support, Effort-Reward-Imbalance, and especially Job Demands-Resources) have been explained to delve into OSH implications, particularly focusing on the negative consequences of stress or burnout, as well as its potential positive outcomes, such as engagement or well-being.
Thereafter, the chapter on OSH implications and concerns presents previous relevant findings from cutting-edge institutions on the topic (EU-OSHA, JRC, ILO, OECD), highlighting the increasing prevalence of ALMA, but also outlining the main risks sources identified in the literature, such as those psychosocial by definition (intensification of work, restriction of worker autonomy or social isolation) as well as other related to the use of great amount of data (dehumanisation and datafication, technical malfunctions, or discrimination and privacy as fundamental rights issues).
The final chapters are dedicated to presenting results, main conclusions and a discussion on new evidence from 2022 to 2024 (total of 39 selected scientific papers and reports) concerning OSH implications of ALMA. Specifically, it is emphasized that psychosocial pressures (excessive workload and time-lined efforts) are propelled by this new form of work organisation, as algorithms or AI are applied for worker management today, but also the constraints of workers’ resources are underlined (control and decrease of social interactions). This OSH impairment, in which job demands surpass workers´ resources, intensifies psychosocial risks (stress, burnout, violence or harassment) as well as health issues (anxiety, depression, fatigue or accidents).
DOI: 10.23775/20250616
