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.
As confirmed on 17 December 2020, the French tyre manufacturer Michelin has shut down its production in Hallstadt which employed 860 people. The last tyre was produced the day before. Afterwards all machines were shut down. The previously negotiated social plan will financially take care of all employees until the end of 2022. Furthermore, 200 employees have already found a new job at the Michelin plant in Bamberg and another 300 employees are participating in further training courses. Another 65 employees are part of the ‘revitalisation’ of the plant. The goal is to develop the ‘Cleantech Innovation Parc’, which will provide a platform for projects focusing on sustainability. Overall, 595 employees are leaving Michelin.
Eurofound (2020), Michelin, Closure in Germany, factsheet number 102928, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/102928.