The American Council on Technology, Research and Education, a nonprofit organization that promotes innovation and the American workplace, says it’s working to “curb a toxic culture of fear and apathy that fuels the rise of ‘digital natives.'”
The group’s “digital natives” label has become an issue after a recent report from the National Science Foundation found that software development companies have the highest rates of anxiety among any other industries.
While the report was released in October, it’s only now that it’s become clear that the problem is far worse than initially believed.
“In this climate of fear, the rise in anxiety and apathetic behaviors, and a lack of effective leadership in the workplace, the American Council is concerned that our nation is headed toward a future where digital natives will have no place in the workforce, and will find themselves in situations where they will feel helpless and undervalued,” said David T. Cauffman, the group’s president.
CCAE is also calling on Congress to enact legislation to ensure that software developers and designers have the same protections as other workers and the workplace.
While this might be a first step, it might be even more important.
The National Science Study found that the average software developer has been on the job for six years and has worked for more than 300,000 hours.
And according to the National Bureau of Economic Research, software development firms employ more than 4.4 million workers.
CFAE’s report argues that it is time for Congress to provide protection to software developers as well as other employees, including the tech workers who are most likely to be the ones hurt by this problem.
“There are many more opportunities for software developers than there are opportunities for designers,” said Caufman.
“If we can make sure that there are meaningful protections for these workers, they’ll feel a lot more valued.”
