The Quantified Worker
Law and Technology in the Modern Workplace

‘Scientific management is not new, but as Dr. Ajunwa eloquently and definitively argues, the technologically-mediated quantification of the American worker poses novel and consequential challenges for labor, equity, and democracy itself. The Quantified Worker is a meticulous and passionate call to action, an urgent plea for a robust response from our legal system.’ Virginia Eubanks, author of Automating Inequality: How High-Tech Tools Profile, Police, and Punish the Poor

‘Ajunwa's treatment of worker's rights - and lack thereof - in the context of corporate surveillance is critical, timely, and profound. It will be an invaluable resource to lawyers trying to understand the comprehensive reach of workplace monitoring and measuring, to data scientists trying to understand the relevant law in their fields, and to anyone else who wants to interrogate the AI marketing hype.’ Cathy O’Neil, author of Weapons of Math Destruction

‘The surveillance and quantification of workers is a critical issue of our time. This much-needed book details how these technologies erode labor rights and encode discrimination, and it’s powerful evidence for why we need worker coalitions and strong legal protections.’ Kate Crawford, USC Annenberg, author of Atlas of AI

‘… this well-researched volume covers everything from hiring algorithms to workplace wellness and wearable technologies, deftly building on the historical context of Taylorism and scientific management, which led to worker quantification … Highly recommended.’ W. Kramer, Choice

‘[This book] offers an eye-opening account of the amplification of managerial power. Through a highly engaging writing style, Ajunwa broadens the overall understanding of the subject and captivates readers’ interest with illustrations, ancient documents and legal sources. Well situated in the present, the book focuses on the structural, hard-core limitations of current legislation and makes concrete proposals for countering the drift towards workers’ commodification.' Antonio Aloisi, International Labour Review

‘Ifeoma Ajunwa’s practical solution would reduce intrusive, automated surveillance of employees, minimize (if not eliminate) discrimination and bias, re-establish boundaries between work and home, and restore the humanity of workers too long dehumanized by obsessive and excessive quantification.’ Donald R. Riccomini, Technical Communication