{"id":7798,"date":"2025-03-06T07:35:00","date_gmt":"2025-03-06T13:35:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mhisolutionsmag.com\/?p=7798"},"modified":"2025-03-06T07:38:48","modified_gmt":"2025-03-06T13:38:48","slug":"keeping-workers-in-the-loop-when-implementing-automation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mhisolutionsmag.com\/index.php\/2025\/03\/06\/keeping-workers-in-the-loop-when-implementing-automation\/","title":{"rendered":"Keeping Workers in the Loop When Implementing Automation"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"christian\"keepingBY CHRISTIAN DOW<\/span>, EVP OF INDUSTRY LEADERSHIP, MHI<\/figure>\n

A<\/span>t manufacturing plants and warehouses plagued by high turnover, it might seem like employees don\u2019t truly value their jobs and happily would jump ship to make a few bucks more somewhere else. That outlook tends to change, however, upon the first sign of new automated material\u2011handling solutions in the facility, as workers begin to fear that they\u2019re being replaced by machines.<\/p>\n

\"mhiAs just about any employee can attest, nothing makes you appreciate a job more than the threat of losing it.<\/p>\n

“Especially if you have a tenured group that has done things a certain way for a long time, implementing automation can bring a lot of fear, and it really boils down to concern about their jobs,” said Dawnya Gay Brown, project engineering manager at MHI member St. Onge. “Organizations worry about employee engagement because change can create upheaval.”<\/p>\n

Still, facilities lacking sufficient manpower to deal with increased order volume need to automate their manual processes to remain competitive, control costs and satisfy customers. That reality can be jarring for employees as high\u2011tech equipment is introduced into facilities, but with proper planning and communication, companies can limit the disruption to operations and any potential dip in morale, Brown said.<\/p>\n

Even with automation, there\u2019s likely to be no shortage of opportunities for talented, dedicated employees. Automation speeds up processes and eliminates the drudgery of repetitive tasks, which makes jobs more appealing to workers and boosts retention. Meanwhile, new opportunities will emerge for workers who are willing to adapt and learn.<\/p>\n

Sharing that message with employees ahead of installation typically leads to smoother implementation, Brown said.<\/p>\n

“You can\u2019t sugarcoat the fact that there could be jobs you don\u2019t need after implementing automation,” she said. “You don\u2019t need a picker if you\u2019ve got a robotic arm to do it, for example. But workers may be needed for other tasks, and that\u2019s something you have to be clear about upfront. You need a robust plan for implementation, including a communication plan to engage both your associates and your managers.”<\/p>\n

Brian Keiger, chief commercial officer at MHI member Conveyco Technologies, said it\u2019s vital for executives to recognize the key role they play in driving change within their organizations, whether it\u2019s a digital or automation evolution or simply a process change. He outlined four key steps:<\/p>\n