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 confirmed on 25 May 2020, the German printing machine manufacturer Heideldruck (Heidelberger Druckmaschinen), will be cutting 1,350 jobs in Germany due to internal restructuring. CEO Hundsdörfer emphasized that job cuts (1,600 worldwide) are inevitable as Heideldruck needs to adapt its structure and capacities to the international market. Mainly affected by the reduction are the administration and research and developments sections. 1,000 jobs will be cut at Heideldruck headquarters in Wiesloch. Management and social partners have already agreed on a social plan. The job reduction will primarily be realised via partial-retirement programmes (600 partial-retirement contracts have already been concluded). In a second step, a transfer company will be established for 12 months. The company’s intention is to avoid compulsory redundancies.
Heideldruck has 11,642 employees worldwide.
Eurofound (2020), Heideldruck, Internal restructuring in Germany, factsheet number 101194, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/101194.