New California law seeks transparency for workplace quotas
New California law seeks transparency for workplace quotas
A new law takes effect in California on Jan. 1 that could change how companies like Amazon use data to manage warehouse workers.
Companies like Amazon often use algorithms and tracking data to set productivity quotas, according to University of California, Riverside, professor Ellen Reese, who co-edited a book about Amazon.
“Many warehouse workers felt like they couldn’t work both efficiently and safely, like they can’t use the bathroom when they need to,” she said.
Amazon said in a statement to Marketplace: “Amazon does not have quotas. We do not require employees to meet specific productivity speeds or targets.”
The new California law will require more transparency from big warehouse operators about how they use technology to track productivity so that it doesn’t interfere with things like mandated breaks or safety.
“There’s so much opaqueness around algorithms, and as a worker, you don’t have a lot of insight into all of that,” said professor Lindsey Cameron, who studies the future of work at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School.
She said other government entities are also looking at how to regulate these emerging technologies at work.
Correction (Dec. 30, 2021): This story has been corrected to show that Amazon responded to a request for comment.
There’s a lot happening in the world. Through it all, Marketplace is here for you.
You rely on Marketplace to break down the world’s events and tell you how it affects you in a fact-based, approachable way. We rely on your financial support to keep making that possible.
Your donation today powers the independent journalism that you rely on. For just $5/month, you can help sustain Marketplace so we can keep reporting on the things that matter to you.
