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.
Allseas, a company specialized in offshore pipeline installation and subsea construction, has announced it will cut 300 jobs among its staff working on its ships. As a result of low oil prices and the COVID-19 pandemic, many projects in the sector of petroleum and natural gas extraction have been postponed, which has significantly reduced the workload for Allseas. In addition to the dismissal of 300 workers with a permanent contract, Allseas is postponing investments in order to maintain its financial liquidity. The measures are deemed necessary to secure the continuity of the company.
Eurofound (2020), Allseas, Internal restructuring in Netherlands, factsheet number 100815, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/100815.