Collaborative Robots at Work

A growing number of American workers are training their robot replacements to take over their jobs. In many instances, this frees workers from dull, dirty or dangerous work, allowing them to increase productivity, reduce injuries caused by repetitive work, and focus on upskilling to improve work life experience. However, as collaborative robots (“cobots”) become a more common form of co-worker, employers and their attorneys have questions about best practices for integrating robots in their workplaces, staffing considerations, and privacy laws. This program, taught by Natalie Pierce, the Co-Chair of Littler Mendelson’s Robotics, AI & Automation Industry Group, will provide an overview of the legal status of cobots in the workplace.

Learning Objectives:

1. Assess communication strategies around the introduction of collaborative robots
2. Prepare existing workforces to partner with cobots
3. Understand staffing considerations when evaluating cobots
4. Identify best practices for maintaining consents and employer privacy