From bias to balance: achieving organisational justice through algorithmic task allocation

The fair allocation of tasks is a crucial factor for employee satisfaction and leads to an efficient working atmosphere. Increasing digitalisation and the use of AI in the workplace open new horizons for improving organisational justice. This paper describes an approach that uses algorithms to make the allocation of tasks not only efficient but also objectively fairer than it is possible for a human. As part of the project “Artificial Intelligence for Work and Learning in the Karlsruhe Region (KARL),” funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), EDI GmbH developed a specialised algorithm that considers the individual burdens of employees to ensure a more balanced and objectively fair distribution of workload.

This shift of responsibility from human managers to AI poses new challenges and opportunities in ensuring organisational justice. By automating the assignment process, we aim to eliminate biases and increase transparency, thereby enhancing fairness in the workplace. The study explores how this innovative use of AI not only has the potential to harmonise workloads and improve employee satisfaction but also necessitates a thoughtful discussion on the ethical implications and the accountability of AI systems in managerial roles. Through this exploration, we seek to contribute to the broader discourse on the integration of AI in fostering a culture of fairness within organisations.