Mind the gap

The ESRC Centre for Digital Futures at Work (Digit) studies the way that digital technologies are reshaping work.Our academic research offers critical insights into the real world challenges, opportunities, risks and benefits of the ongoing digital transformation of work. We aim to generate new knowledge about the impacts of the transition on employers, workers, job-seekers and governments.Digit is jointly led by the University of Sussex Business School and Leeds University Business School, with Co-Directors Professor Jacqueline O’Reilly (University of Sussex Business School) and Professor Mark Stuart (Leeds University Business School).We also have partners at the universities of Cambridge, Manchester and Monash, the Institute of Development of Studies, the Institute for the Future of Work, and FutureDotNow.

ESRC Centre for Digital Futures at Work

Digital platforms and the future of social and employment protectionsIn this talk Dr Steve Rolf and Marc Meryon will discuss how Digital platforms have reshaped the working lives of millions and the consumption patterns of many more. Now, they are reaching into and rearranging the very architectures of states and labour market governance. Independent contractors have no legal recourse to the social and employment protections afforded to those in formal employment relationships. But increasingly, pressure from workers and unions -- alongside the requirements of platforms themselves -- is driving digital platforms to implement private protection packages for their self-employed contractors. From healthcare and minimum hourly rates, to health and safety and union recognition and collective bargaining agreements, platforms are stepping in to grant affordances previously guaranteed by public policy and legislation. What does this mean for the future of work and labour market governance? We draw on detailed evidence from a UK-based case study to examine these questions.

About the speakersSteve Rolf is a scholar working at the intersection of international business, human resource management and political economy. He contributes to the ESRC Digit centre as a Research Fellow, where he is responsible for examining the digital transformation of the global retail sector, with a particular focus on the growing role and significance of investments in logistics.

Marc Meryon is a Partner and Head of Industrial Relations at Eversheds Sutherland. He is also an Honorary Senior Visiting Fellow at Cass Business School, City University. He was until 2015 the Senior Independent Director of King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.Marc specialises in helping companies with difficult labour relations issues, often arising from organisational change. He frequently advises on managing and resolving collective disputes, including preventing and mitigating the impact of strikes and responding effectively to union backed corporate campaigns, both within the UK and internationally.
Marc’s role includes helping employers with union negotiations; new models for staff engagement; managing stakeholder relations; and using innovative legal challenges to protect businesses from disruption.
Marc also advises on the growing impact of human rights on business and labour relations, and on the increasing use of contingent workers in the gig economy.

About Digit DebatesThis Autumn webinar series from the <a href="https://digit-research.org/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Digital Futures at Work Research Centre</a> presents cutting-edge research from leading thinkers about how digital technologies are changing work.Our aim is to spark debate, challenge assumptions and become an essential resource for anyone who wants to understand how new technologies will impact employers, employees, job seekers and governments.Join us on Wednesdays, 1-2pm (BST/GMT)online, from 20 October – 01 December 2021*.*Please note that the session on 24 November will run from 1-2.30pm (GMT). The first talk on 20 October will be British Summer Time and then all following talks will be Greenwich Mean Time due to the clocks going back on 31 October.<a href="https://digit-research.org/events/digit-events/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Click here</a> for more information on other events in the series.

About DigitDigit, the <a href="https://digit-research.org/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Digital Futures at Work Research Centre</a> aims to advance our understanding of how digital technologies are reshaping work, impacting on employers, employees, job seekers and governments. It is co-led by the University of Sussex Business School and Leeds University Business School with partners from Aberdeen, Cambridge, Manchester and Monash Universities. It is funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC).

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Mind the gap

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Mind the gap

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