Technology is a great resource and provides ease and convenience for so many. It’s tough, when the question is put to the individual, to determine who technology hurts. Although, if you are a person who has had your job eliminated by technology then it’s a much easier question to answer.
For many people, technology is something that threatens the work they do every day. While there are those that will claim most positions around before the technology boom are still around today, those people must understand that just because a position isn’t wiped out, doesn’t mean that many people don’t suffer along the way. Here are some of the position that are being harmed by the boom in technology.
The front-end cashier has been one of the most important jobs for the unskilled laborer. These positions are filled often by teenagers or adults with a limited education. While these jobs don’t often pay well, they do often come with full benefits. These days there are self check-out machines that are threatening the jobs of these people. Many cashiers are being eliminated because one cashier can now do the work of four people, since their job has been reduced to simple monitoring.
Toll booths in the United States are becoming increasingly changeless. With interstate debit passes, there are a number of toll booth operators that are losing their jobs because of the boom. While it’s unlikely that all operators will lose their jobs, it’s dwindling in numbers.
Many of the people who have worked in the call centers and help centers are seeing their positions being eliminated. Many times these jobs have been the better paying jobs for unskilled employees. Yet, with automated phone systems and better customer service applications on web pages, there are less and less jobs available in this market. These jobs were once a source of financial stability. Now they are scary jobs to take with no promise of security.