Revolutionizing the Workforce: The Rise of Robots in Employment
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Chapter 1: The Great Resignation and Employee Discontent
Recently, I had a conversation with a long-time friend about his job, where he's spent the last decade. He expressed, quite frankly, that he is ready to leave. The primary reason? Dysfunction.
From management down to entry-level employees, chaos reigns. For instance, he recounted a story about a colleague who quit after her supervisor only granted her three of the five days off she requested. Just like that, she was gone.
It seems the trend of the Great Resignation hasn't sparked much bravery among employees—until now. For those who have been thinking about leaving, a surprising shift is on the horizon.
Dysfunction Meets Its Match
Currently, there are nearly 3 million manufacturing robots worldwide, a figure that has tripled since 2009, according to assemblymag.com. There are 850 robots for every 10,000 manufacturing workers, with South Korea alone housing 300,000 of these machines.
The robotic revolution isn't just limited to manufacturing; the restaurant industry is also on the brink of a transformation. Many fast-food chains face staffing shortages, paving the way for robots like Flippy 2, which is set to be installed in 100 additional locations by White Castle in 2022, as reported by singularityhub.com.
Flippy 2 won't have bad days or personal distractions—no worries about a metal employee scrolling through social media instead of focusing on their tasks. Employers won't have to navigate the complexities of labor laws that often complicate dismissing underperforming staff.
What Constitutes Employee Dysfunction?
A study from 2011 by Susan Ettner revealed that 16% of women and 18% of men experience at least one personality disorder (PD), as cited by Mary Bauer on women.thenest.com. The most prevalent disorder identified was obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), which Mayo Clinic describes as characterized by unwanted thoughts and repetitive behaviors that disrupt daily life.
Symptoms can vary widely, including fears of contamination, a strong need for order, and intrusive thoughts. These behaviors can create disharmony within teams, with approximately 16% of employees reportedly disengaged, according to a Gallup survey from 2012.
Key Demographic Insights
The International OCD Foundation estimates that around 3 million adults in the U.S., equivalent to the population of Houston, Texas, suffer from OCD. The onset of this disorder typically begins at age 19, with 1.2% of adults over 18 having experienced it. The highest rates are found in the 18-29 age group, and about one-third of adults diagnosed with OCD began showing symptoms in childhood.
The Financial Implications of Automation
Flippy 2 comes at a price of around $30,000, plus a monthly software fee of $1,500. Such robots are primarily affordable for large corporations or well-funded enterprises. If the costs of Flippy 2 can be significantly offset through tax deductions, the opportunities for those in the Great Resignation may become increasingly limited.
Key Takeaway
We must consider the future of our workforce. With robots poised to represent one in ten employees in global manufacturing, and their encroachment into the restaurant sector, business owners may find a reliable and efficient workforce in automation. Robots like Flippy 2 could provide employers with the stability they require.
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