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.
As announced on 17 June 2020, Bosch Automotive Steering, a subsidiary of Bosch, will close its plant in Bietigheim, Baden-Württemberg, by the end of 2021, which will result in the loss of 290 jobs. The production will be, however, relocated to other German or European plants. Bosch plans to convert the Bietigheim plant into a research facility. According to the company, the restructuring is necessary due to high costs.
Bosch confirmed that the redundancy plan will be as socially acceptable as possible and will try to exclude compulsory redundancies.
Eurofound (2020), Bosch Automotive Steering, Relocation in Germany, factsheet number 101178, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/101178.