Care workers rally against AI scheduling in South Lanarkshire that allegedly undermines care quality and stresses staff.
GMB Scotland wants the council to stop using the software. Care staff say it makes their jobs tough and feel more stress. Service also hurts clients. Union members filed a grievance, wanting better schedules for care workers. The rally happened at the council building.
Workers say the AI schedules ruin consistent care, making it difficult for regular staff to build trust. Nine in ten union members say care has worsened. The software doesn’t consider travel time.
One worker said the system makes no sense. Schedules are illogical, sending them all over. Sometimes they rush, other times they have spare time. The system seems unaware of time or distance, resulting in missed or shortened visits.
Some worry patients needing regular medicine are at risk because visits change without warning. Another worker says the stress hurts their health and they worry most about their patients. Many patients are old and need consistent care, but that consistency is gone now.
Patients might see multiple workers daily. Workers complained but say managers ignore them. Rory Steel said the technology fails staff and patients. He said officials think AI is some perfect answer, when the care given by the union is very important.
Software shouldn’t impact service quality. The union thinks schedules must improve, as it causes stress for both care workers and patients. Urgent review and reform are needed.
A council officer says the system doesn’t use true AI. They feel it’s a market leader for scheduling care, used by ten councils in Scotland. It supports scheduling based on staff input, not controlled by AI.
This system helps staff make 25,000 weekly visits, with inspections showing high-quality care. They will continue working with unions to improve. The goal is to provide vital services to locals.