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.
US-based fast food chain KFC has announced that it will create 5,400 jobs at its units across the UK and Ireland by the end of 2020. Following a surge in demand for takeaway food, the chain will increase its employment at its 965 restaurants in both countries.
The company is looking for a wide range of candidates, from team leaders to cooks. New employees will be hired on permanent basis, either in full time or part time roles, while non-wage benefits for employees will include free staff meals and a 25% discount.
The General Manager at KFC UK & Ireland said that they are 'proud to have been able to work together to reopen responsibly and in turn ... provide new job openings into the industry at this time', while the UK Minister for Small Business, Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy declared that 'it is great that iconic brands like KFC are continuing to grow and invest in the UK during this challenging time'.
The company also revealed that some of the new jobs will be funded by the UK government's ‘Kickstart Scheme’, designed to support the 16-24-year-old age group which has been disproportionately hit by job losses in the COVID-19 pandemic. Launched in September 2020, the government measure provides funding to pay the national minimum wage to get young people back into work.
KFC, the world’s second largest fast-food chain, said that its employment is to reach about 100,000 staff in total by the end of 2020.
KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken) was founded in 1930 in the United States. Currently, the company has about 23,000 outlets operating in more than 140 countries and territories worldwide.
Eurofound (2020), KFC, Business expansion in World, factsheet number 102642, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/102642.