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.
Douglas, the parent company of Nocibé, has just announced the closure of 62 Nocibé shops as part of a reorganisation project involving the retail group's physical and web presence. This 24-month plan could involve 347 positions in France (and 2,500 at EU level). The Nocibé head office is unlikely to be significantly affected. According to the CFTC union, 338 employees working in shops and 9 at headquarters are affected in France, representing a total of 347 job cuts. The closures would affect 12% of its total shop base. 'The company's management, together with the social partners, will look for all the solutions so that each of the employees can benefit from adapted support', explains the company. This project should lead to 'an omnichannel business model for the distribution of beauty products. It will be based on the complementarity of a network of local shops, with a website and digital tools'. This reorganisation is related to the COVID-19 crisis, the growth of telework during the pandemic and resulting declines in demand for the company's goods.
Eurofound (2021), Nocibé, Internal restructuring in France, factsheet number 103331, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/103331.