Algorithmic Decisions in Hiring and Termination Processes
In today's digital world, the use of algorithms, data, and AI in human resources and productivity planning is on the rise, raising concerns about the protection of workers' personal data. Across the globe, few regulations are in place to prevent the misuse of this data by companies.
Personal data, such as financial records, health files, social media activity, and shopping habits, can be used in HR processes, potentially leading to unfair hiring, firing, discipline, or promotion decisions. To address these issues, UNI Global Union, a leading union representing workers in various sectors, has taken a proactive stance.
UNI Global Union has written two key documents: the Top Ten Principles of Workers' Data Privacy and Protection, and the Top Ten Principles of Ethical AI. These documents list essential demands to avoid a future where workers are subjected to algorithmic decision-making beyond human control and insight.
The Top Ten Principles of Workers' Data Privacy and Protection emphasise the need for collective ownership of data, ethical AI, and workers' data rights. UNI Global Union urges management and governments to take responsibility to ensure a digital world of work that is empowering, inclusive, and open to all.
Moreover, the union is raising voices against the monopolization of data ownership and asking whether data should be made a commons, a public good accessible to all. Unions should organise, build alliances, and demand a share of data wealth, and fill regulatory gaps to protect workers' data rights on all levels.
In terms of current regulations, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the European Union, the California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA), and the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) in Canada, are some of the key legislations governing how companies can collect, use, and dispose of personal data.
To protect workers' personal data effectively, organisations must follow best practices such as secure data sharing, regular audits, transparency in algorithmic decision-making processes, bias testing, efficient handling of Data Subject Access Requests (DSARs), collaboration between legal and IT departments, and ongoing training for HR staff on data privacy laws and best practices.
As the use of algorithms in HR processes continues to grow, it is crucial for trade unions to act urgently to address these issues and ensure that workers' personal data is protected. By doing so, we can create a digital world of work that is fair, inclusive, and respects the rights of all workers.
- The rising use of algorithms and AI in HR processes, especially in areas like health, finance, and lifestyle, has sparked concerns about workers' data protection due to potential unfair biases.
- In response, UNI Global Union has published two key documents, the Top Ten Principles of Workers' Data Privacy and Protection, and the Top Ten Principles of Ethical AI, demanding transparency and ethical practices.
- These principles advocate for collective data ownership, ethical AI, and workers' data rights, urging management and governments to create an empowering, inclusive, and open digital world.
- UNI Global Union is also urging against data monopolization, proposing a model where data could be considered a commons, accessible to all, and advocating for unions to demand a share of data wealth.
- Regulations like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the EU, the California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA), and the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) in Canada play crucial roles in governing how companies handle personal data.
- To safeguard personal data effectively, organisations must follow best practices such as secure data sharing, regular audits, transparency in algorithmic decision-making processes, bias testing, efficient handling of DSARs, collaboration between legal and IT departments, and ongoing training for HR staff on data privacy laws.
- As technology continues to advance, social media, education, career development, entertainment, policy-and-legislation, and job-search platforms also collect extensive personal data, raising similar concerns about data privacy and misuse.
- In the realm of career development, it's essential to be aware of skills training programs that prioritize data privacy, respecting both the rights of individuals and the ethical use of technology.
- In a world where algorithms influence various aspects of our lives, from personal finance to general news and crime-and-justice, it's crucial to maintain a continuous dialogue about our opinion on the balance between technology and data privacy.
- Ultimately, addressing these issues and fostering a fair, inclusive digital world requires cooperation between governments, unions, and individuals to enforce existing regulations, advocate for new ones, and adapt to changing trends in data-and-cloud-computing, wealth-management, business, and policy-and-legislation.
