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.
The American cosmetics group Estée Lauder has announced 1,500 to 2,000 job cuts (up to 3% of its worldwide workforce) as part of a worldwide reorganisation. The group, whose net profit has fallen by more than 60% over one year, plans to close 10 to 15% of its stores, mainly in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and North America. It is counting on digital sales to rebound. This reorganisation plan is to be spread over two years and is designed to 'address the dramatic changes in the retail landscape and consumer behaviour following COVID-19', according to the company.
Eurofound (2020), Estée Lauder, Internal restructuring in World, factsheet number 101531, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/101531.