Ethics in the digital workplace
Digitisation and automation technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), can affect working conditions in a variety of ways and their use in the workplace raises a host of new ethical concerns.
Empik, a Polish books, press and media products trader, announced that it will close all of its book stores operating under the brand Mole Mole. As a result, about 100 people will be made redundant. Also, the retailer will liquidate the Mole Mole online store. At the same time, the company revealed that 40 of its book stores with the Empik logo, located in shopping malls, will not be reopened despite the decision of the Polish government to ease coronavirus lockdown restrictions and allow the malls to reopen on 4 May 2020. Empik has thus terminated 40 contract agreements.
Empik was founded in 1991; currently, the chain has over 260 stores across the country. The company also owns a photo company, Empik Foto, a foreign language school - Empik School, as well as 35 Mole Mole stores.
Eurofound (2020), Mole Mole, Closure in Poland, factsheet number 100619, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/100619.