A study conducted by a German university claims that e-commerce platform Zalando has been placing its workers under pressure and/or surveillance using the performance management tool Zonar, a software used for so-called ‘360° feedback’ on employees. Zalando categorically denies the allegations made in the report. Nonetheless, the regional data protection officer in the state of Berlin announced an inquiry into the software, the use of which has been prohibited until further notice. The case raises several issues related to co-determination amid the rise of digitalisation. Planet Labor has sought to find out more and has spoken to Verdi, the German services sector trade union, as well as to a manager at Zalando, who has agreed to talk anonymously about their experience with Zonar.
Towards man exploiting man, using machines? Does the rise of digitalisation in the world of work risk leading to exploitation of man by man, through the use of machines? And if so, how can it be avoided? These are the two questions raised by a controversial episode in Germany, where leading European online clothing retailer Zalando – employer of 14,000 people across 17 countries – has been using the performance management tool Zonar since 2017.
Zonar’s existence was revealed to the wider public in November last year, following a study conducted by two professors at the Humboldt University of Berlin on behalf of the trade union foundation Hans Böckler (see article n°11499).
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