Safeguarding your job through the robotic revolution

Much like Marmite, the UK is divided when it comes to the idea of robotics – you either love it, or you hate it. Those favouring the rise of automation cite increased productivity, reduced labour costs, and heightened employee engagement as reasons for their support. On the other hand, those against the uproar have dubbed the technology disruptive and harmful to not just employment, but also the wider economy.

A report launched at the end of last year by the McKinsey Global Institute predicted that by 2030, as many as 800 million jobs could be lost worldwide due to automation. Worried about what this will mean for specific roles and even entire industries, many have turned their backs on robotics, fearing the worst from an automation take-over.

While it’s understandable for people to fear the unknown, robotics is less about taking away people’s jobs than it is taking jobs away from people – encouraging workers to focus their time and effort where they can really drive value. As automated technologies continue to grow in popularity and advance in adoption across businesses, it’s essential that employees show what they can add to an organisation that machines can’t.

1.     Think potential, not problem

Whether their staff like it or not, enterprises will continue to implement robotic systems to support them in meeting today’s modern business demands. As the competitive landscape across every sector becomes more cut-throat, organisations that are successful will be those that tap into a combined workforce of both humans and technology.

Therefore, instead of showing hostility towards the changes that need to be made in order to bring automation on board, employees should see robotics as a potential, not a problem. As we’ve witnessed through other developments to the corporate world – take cloud computing for example – those who embrace change head-on are those who end up winning big.

2.     Boast your knowledge

While there are obvious benefits to replacing some repetitive and mundane human roles with automation – such as payroll or data entry – there are many business cases in which robotics just would not work. Roles that require the ‘human touch’, whether that is innovative thinking or strategic decision making, don’t sit in the sweet spot for robotics, with a failure to add creative flair to tasks.

That’s where employees can boast their knowledge, be it about the company, the industry or the job at hand. To highlight this, educate yourself on how automation will be used across the business you work in, and highlight the gaps you can fill. If you are worried about not being valuable to your employer, make yourself valuable.

3.     Plan for the future

Automation will influence every single industry and role in a completely different way, making it next to impossible to predict a pattern in its impact. However, over time we’ll undoubtedly see a shift in the skillsets and support businesses need from their workers.

Immediately, people will think this means a loss of jobs, discounting the creation of new roles that robotics will bring. We’re already seeing multiple organisations recruiting for people to take on ‘Head of RPA’ and ‘Chief Robotic Officer’ roles, as well as the creation of other titles. In order to be irreplaceable to your organisation, identify the skills that are difficult to automate in your role and become an expert in them.

4.     Advise and adapt

Once you’ve identified what you personally need to do to stand your ground against your job being automated, make sure you’re communicating it to your employer. Be vocal about what you’re trying to achieve and show willing to help on-board robotics across the wider business. Ask the right questions and people will start to see you as an advisor, helping the company strategise and demonstrating leadership in what your future role may look like.

Automation is still a very new technology and your company is likely going to go through highs and lows as it rolls it out across various functions. The more knowledgeable you are with what challenges and opportunities others are experiencing – from a professional and business perspective – the more you will be able to adapt and make automation work for you, rather than against.