As algorithms reshape the workplace, they’re transforming how organizations manage, evaluate, and discipline employees. The paper Algorithms at

The Six Mechanisms of Algorithmic Control: Insights from “Algorithms at Work” – Kellogg, Valentine & Christin (2020) – Synaptic Gap

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2024-12-12 12:00:02

As algorithms reshape the workplace, they’re transforming how organizations manage, evaluate, and discipline employees. The paper Algorithms at Work: The New Contested Terrain of Control introduces the “6 Rs” of algorithmic control—restricting, recommending, recording, rating, replacing, and rewarding—revealing both opportunities and challenges for workers and managers alike. For technologists, this framework is crucial for navigating the emerging dynamics of algorithm-driven organizations.

Algorithmic control introduces new forms of workplace management that are more comprehensive, instantaneous, and opaque than traditional control mechanisms. These changes reshape the balance of power between employers and employees.

“Algorithms are not neutral—they encode values and power dynamics, often reshaping the workplace in ways that benefit employers at the expense of worker autonomy.”

The “6 Rs” of algorithmic control highlight the double-edged sword of workplace automation. For technologists, the challenge lies in designing systems that balance efficiency with fairness. How can your organization use algorithmic tools responsibly to empower, rather than disempower, its workforce?