Fair and Safe Digital Workplaces: New Rules for AI
Published December 17, 2025
Goal: Human‑centered AI governance
The EU Parliament resolution says digital work and AI must be fair, safe, and human‑centered, giving companies rules to explain algorithms, keep workers in control, protect data, and provide training, especially to help small businesses.
Summary of the European Parliament resolution (17 Dec 2025) on digitalisation, AI and algorithmic management in the workplace
The Parliament calls for new rules that make AI and algorithmic tools in jobs safer, fairer and more transparent.
Why it matters:
- AI could add about 78 million new jobs (≈7 % of current EU employment) by 2030, but it can also displace jobs and increase work‑intensity.
- In 2023 only 15 % of workers received AI training, while 42 % want more and 61 % expect new skills needed in five years.
- 26.5 % of EU workers are monitored by computer programmes; 27.4 % get tasks from a system; 35 % use AI for performance reviews.
- 64 % of SMEs say regulations are the biggest obstacle; SMEs make up 99 % of all EU businesses.
- Public opinion: 62 % view robots/AI positively, 73 % think they speed up work, 66 % fear more jobs will disappear, and 61 % worry that AI harms colleague communication.
- 80 % support rules protecting worker privacy, and 77 % want workers involved in designing tech.
Key proposals for the Commission:
| Area | What is proposed |
|---|---|
| Definition | Clear definition of “algorithmic management” (automated monitoring/decision‑making). |
| Transparency | Employers must give workers written, easy‑to‑understand information about how AI works, what data it uses, who it can affect, and how it protects rights. |
| Consultation | Any AI that affects pay, evaluation, hours or tasks must be discussed with workers and their representatives before use. |
| Prohibited data use | No monitoring of emotions, private chats, off‑work data, or any sensitive health information unless legally justified. |
| Human oversight | Decisions on pay, dismissal or major changes must be made by a person, not an algorithm alone. Workers can ask for a clear, human‑written explanation of any AI‑based decision that matters to them. |
| Health & safety | AI must be assessed for risks to physical and mental health, and employers must act to mitigate them. |
| SME support | Rules should be proportionate, not over‑burdensome, and national authorities should give SMEs guidance and training. |
| Enforcement | National labour inspectors, data‑protection authorities and social partners will monitor compliance; workers have protection against retaliation for exercising rights. |
| Alignment with existing law | New rules must not reduce the protections already offered by GDPR, the AI Act, the Platform Work Directive, or national labour laws. |
The resolution urges the Commission to draft legislation that balances innovation with worker safety, privacy, and fair treatment, ensuring that the EU can lead the digital transition without harming people’s jobs or well‑being.
Licensing: The summaries on this page are available under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 4.0).
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