The SDA commends the NSW Minns Labor Government for the Workplace Health and Safety (Digital Work Systems) Bill 2025 that makes worker safety a priority where digital work systems are used in workplaces.
Too many workers in retail stores, distribution and fulfilment centres are concerned about technology‑driven work practices putting them at risk with unsustainable work rates.
The NSW Government’s legislation modernises our Work, Health and Safety laws by simply requiring that where work is allocated through a digital work system – including digital platforms, AI, automation, and algorithm‑driven scheduling – it must be implemented in ways that do not harm workers.
Workloads should be sustainable and realistic. Technology should augment workers’ ability and make work easier, not more intense.
Technology should make work safer, not create new risks.
The Bill also enables Safe Work and unions to inspect digital work systems if they are unsafe.
Sadly, the SDA’s Under Pressure report released last year highlighted that workers need these AI WHS protections. High‑tech workplaces like Amazon, where digital management systems and algorithm‑driven work allocation are taken to the extreme, have contributed to intense workloads and a culture of fear. They seek to silence workers’ voices on safety. This Bill gives workers a voice again.
The SDA strongly supports the new legal requirement that all work systems, including digital ones, must meet safety standards and be designed to support, not harm, workers. We would hope all responsible employers do too.
Quotes from Bernie Smith, NSW Secretary, the SDA — the union for shop, warehouse and online retail workers:
“We welcome the NSW government prioritising worker safety as digital work systems become increasingly prevalent in shops, online retail and warehouses.
“These laws make it clear that in Australia, we don’t work according to an American algorithm; we work according to Australian laws, Australian safety standards and Australian ideas of fairness.
“The SDA commends the Minns Labor Government for recognising that digital work systems are not exempt from safety laws. We urge responsible employers to back these sensible changes.
“These reforms are a vital step forward in ensuring that technology in the workplace is used to enhance, not undermine, the safety and wellbeing of all employees.”
Contact: Jim Middleton 0418 627066 (SDA)
Worker Voices: The Reality of High‑Tech Workplaces
“We used to have a fill window of 7–10.30 now it’s 7–10, with less staff. The previous roster was roughly 342 hours. The one I did today (the first one after the review) was down to 329 hours. But there’s no rates to work out the hours. We’ve been asked just to trust the curve without any transparency around how it’s worked out.”
— Supermarket manager
“The system tracks every movement I make. If I slow down, even for a moment, I get a warning. It feels like I’m being watched all the time, and the pressure to keep up is relentless. I worry about making mistakes or getting injured because I’m rushing to meet targets set by the software.”
— Distribution centre worker
“We have new technology that allocates tasks automatically. Sometimes it doesn’t take into account if someone is already overloaded or if a job is physically demanding. There’s no way to flag if you need a break or if you’re struggling. It’s like the system doesn’t see us as people.”
— Online order picker
“The algorithm decides how many staff we need and when. But it doesn’t always match what’s happening on the shop floor. If someone calls in sick, the system doesn’t adjust, and the rest of us are left to pick up the slack. It’s exhausting and stressful.”
— Retail team member
“I was injured after running up and down stairs dozens of times a shift to fix machine jams. The system kept sending alerts, and there was no way to slow down or ask for help. When I finally hurt my knee, it took months to get any support, and I was moved around different departments instead of being given proper adjustments.”
— Warehouse worker