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.
Austrian Airlines (AUA) plans to cut up to 1,100 jobs by the end of 2023. The reason for the restructuring is that the airline is heavily impacted by the mobility regulations around COVID-19. The restructuring will start in mid-2020. The dismissals in 2020, will affect 300 pilots and 70 headquarter employees.
As of 26 May 2020, the company expects government support, but it is not certain how the bailout package for AUA will take shape. The government representatives have stated that the state may obtain shares again. The company will expect job cuts despite this decision.
The formerly governmental Austrian Airlines is part of the German Lufthansa Group since 2009.
Update 25/3/2021: As of 25 March 2021, the company has extended the number of job cuts to 1,350.
Eurofound (2020), Austrian Airlines, Internal restructuring in Austria, factsheet number 100694, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/100694.