The Impact of Technology on Future Jobs: Ethical Issues and Social Issues - Research Paper Example

Psychological issues from job loss have affected the mental state of employees in various sectors where technology has been integrated into the working system displacing human jobs. The consequent problem has comprised two different aspects that mainly include the social dimensions and the economic dimensions both at an individual level and collective perspective (Deane, 2013). Research has indicated that people working in different sectors have a common target that mainly involves the provision of livelihood.

Additionally, jobs have been linked to self-worth, focus, and identity (Deane, 2013). Jobs' disappearance has therefore been regarded to contribute to psychological and social stresses that result from stigmatization and the challenges of coping up with the long-term reality of unemployment. Some of the psychological and social issues that have been reported to be linked to technological unemployment include suicide and mortality, divorce, anxiety, depression, substance abuse, poor self-esteem, and chronic diseases (American Psychological Association, 2013).

Technological unemployment results in adverse impacts on the psychological functions of an individual. Job loss due to an increase in technology has been reported to be associated with depression, anxiety alongside other bodily symptoms that are not realized in the group of the population that continues working in their areas of specialization (Gittins, 2015).  In a study, “The Anguish of Unemployment”, that involved a survey of one thousand two hundred people who were unemployed, it was reported that the population without an alternative source of income experienced depression and anxiety (Deprez, 2009).

Elevated levels of depression further constituted other bodily symptoms such as loss of appetite, sexual interest, and sleep (American Psychological Association, 2013).Also, technological unemployment affects the self-esteem of an individual. These result from the fact that a person without employment for any reason would fail to express a feeling of achievement, satisfaction, or accomplishment.

Technological unemployment has reportedly been linked to chronic stress because of the progressive economic, social, and psychological strain among displaced workers compared to displaced workers in a range of 15 to 30 percent (Catalano et al., 2011). Job displacement due to technical reasons is one kind of an exogenous shock as compared to the types of job mobility. Similarly, lack of employment could increase the chances of a person feeling guilty about an inability to provide for the family. Such guilt is based on the fact that the well-being of an individual is based on the capacity to be productive (Vardi, 2012).  Being unemployed has further been identified as embarrassing (Deprez, 2009).

Addressing increased levels of technological unemployment has been a matter of concern in the recent century as it is the main approach that can effectively address the psychological problems associated with technological unemployment. These approaches target increasing job creation and retention (Gittins, 2015). An approach that has been witnessed in the United States of America is the creation of a policy that would facilitate innovation and economic activity and further facilitate job creation and retention. New policies have therefore been created in the United States that address technological unemployment (Perry, 2013). Some of these policies include reducing the pace of innovation and change, the creation of new work, sharing work, education, redistribution, and encouraging new social contracts (Alpern & Rosen, 2002). However, each of the policies may have its merits and demerits a number of options have always been provided within each category that is further considered in addressing the issue of technological unemployment (Perry, 2013).   However, the policies are not mutually exclusive as compared to policies in other categories. The policy that involves protection on employment, for instance, instituted limits on technological development and mandated human workers.

In terms of work-sharing, the policy provided a number of subsections that included a mandatory retirement age. Imposing a mandatory retirement age targets freeing up more job opportunities to the youth who have had limited chances in the areas of a workforce (Alpern & Rosen, 2002). Also, under the policy of work sharing the shorter work week and more vacation time has been introduced to ensure that the work available is spread among more workers thus further improving the quality of life (Perry, 2013). Making new work has also been a sound policy that has taken effect in addressing technological unemployment (Gittins, 2015). This policy has considered both the governmental and non-market interventions in the creation of other employment opportunities that have not been realized under the existing market opportunities. This has been done through government work programs, national services, tax credit, and guaranteed employment (Perry, 2013).   Redistribution as a policy on the other hand also targets to address the issue of technological unemployment by ensuring the available wealth and resources are redistributed through consideration of the minimum guaranteed income and the smart social programs (Perry, 2013). Similarly, fostering a new social contract in which the existing social model has been altered to ensure the health care is not tied to the employment of an individual and an alternative valuation system is provided. 

Promoting Professional Development in Workplace

Following employment displacement due to the emergence of technology bat the workplace there has been a need for promoting professional development in the workplace. This involves the attraction and retention of engaged and loyal employees within a particular institution.  A consistent and active way of promoting professional development is an approach that has been used widely in nurturing employees and staff retention (Duggan, 2011).