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.
Marshalls, the UK-based manufacturer of landscaping products, has announced restructuring plans that include cutting 400 jobs and the permanent closure of some production sites. The company has not revealed further details, however, the trade union Unite has announced that one of the affected sites is in Falkirk, Scotland.
A spokesperson for the company said that cost saving was necessary to ensure the 'longer-term viability' of the business in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and reduced demand for its products.
The trade union Unite and national media sources have criticised the decision to cut jobs, given that Marshalls has benefitted from government funding under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.
Marshalls manufactures natural stone and concrete landscaping products which are used in gardens and driveways and in public spaces, such as railway stations.
Eurofound (2020), Marshalls, Internal restructuring in United Kingdom, factsheet number 101083, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/101083.