While numerous studies have explored how the introduction of robots into the workplace affects those workers whose roles are disrupted by the new technology, there is often less attention given to how those workers who remain feel about the change.

Research from the University of Pittsburgh attempts to redress the balance. It shows that while investments in automation can enhance productivity and profitability, they can have a harmful impact on the mental health of workers operating alongside the robots.

A mixed picture

The study shows that while robots can take care of some of the heavy lifting in a workplace, and therefore make workers less prone to physical injuries, they can suffer mentally to the extent that they turn to drink and drugs.

“There is a wide interest in understanding labor market effects of robots. And evidence of how robots affected employment and wages of workers, particularly in the manufacturing sector,” the researchers explain.

“However, we still know very little about the effects on physical and mental health. On one hand, robots could take some of the most strenuous, physically intensive, and risky tasks, reducing workers’ risk. On the other hand, the competition with robots may increase the pressure on workers who may lose their jobs or forced to retrain. Of course, labor market institutions may play an important role, particularly in a transition phase.”

Impact on health

The researchers harvested data on workplace injuries across the United States, which revealed that an increase of exposure to robots of one standard deviation coincided with a reduction in work-related injuries of 1.2 cases per 100 workers.

This investment in technology also coincided with an increase of 37.8 cases per 100,000 people in terms of drug and/or alcohol-related deaths, however. There was also a smaller rise in the suicide rate and occurrence of mental health issues.

When the researchers explored whether workers in Germany were similarly affected, it emerged that while they saw a reduction in physical injuries, there was no corresponding rise in mental health issues.

“Robot exposure did not cause disruptive job losses in Germany; Germany has a much higher employment protection legislation,” the researchers explain. “Our evidence finds that, in both contexts, robots have a positive impact on the physical health of workers by reducing injuries and work-related disabilities. However, our findings suggests that in contexts where workers were less protected, competition with robots was associated with a rise in mental health problems.”

The research clearly shows that the introduction of robotics can have a significant impact on the mental as well as physical and economic wellbeing of workers.