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.
Milcobel, the biggest dairy cooperative in Belgium, has announced the closure of its facility in Schoten. In total approximately 167 employees are at risk of losing their jobs (162 in Schoten and an additional 5 in supporting services in the facility in Brugge). The facility was specialised in the production of milk based beverages. However, the demand for these types of milk products has been decreasing steadily in recent years. In addition the facility in Schoten is outdated and would require significant investments in the future. The company management therefore decided to close the facility entirely and stop with the production of these types of products.
Eurofound (2020), Milcobel, Closure in Belgium, factsheet number 101757, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/101757.