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.
Aramark, a Belgian firm specialised in catering services, has announced it wil dismiss 134 of its 640 employees. According to the company management the effort is needed for the company to continue in the future. Because of the Covid-19 crisis many employees across the country work from home on a regular basis. In addition, eating in cafetarias is often not allowed due to increased infection risk. Because of this, the need for catering services at workplaces has declined significantly. Trade union representatives at the company however fear that the company management will use these changes as a way to introduce more flexible and cheaper workers, reducing overall job quality. In total 25 white collar workers and 109 blue collar workers are at risk of losing their jobs.
Eurofound (2020), Aramark, Internal restructuring in Belgium, factsheet number 101901, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/101901.