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.
RSA Insurance Group, the British multinational general insurance company has announced that it will cut 300 jobs as part of a plan to reduce the running costs of its UK business. At present, it is unclear where the job cuts will take place. RSA has invited its employees to apply for voluntary redundancy or reduced working hours.
RSA’s chief executive officer said the company was taking all the necessary actions to remain competitive in the difficult circumstances caused by the COVID-19 crisis, with operating costs in the UK being 'a long-term challenge'. In addition to cutting jobs, the company was also 'rethinking' office space and IT infrastructure and simplifying products and services to save money.
RSA (formerly Royal and Sun Alliance) was formed by the merger of Sun Alliance and Royal Insurance in 1996. It has major operations in the UK, Ireland, Scandinavia and Canada and provides insurance products and services in more than 140 countries through a network of local partners.
Eurofound (2020), RSA Insurance, Internal restructuring in United Kingdom, factsheet number 101920, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/101920.