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 company Disney Store, the international chain specialised in the sale of Disney products – including t-shirts, plush toys and household items, announced its intention to close all Italian stores, making its 233 employees redundant.
According to the trade unions, this announcement came without negotiations after the liquidation of the company on 19 May 2021. They also denounced a lack of prospects or proposals for occupational protection. After the company's announcement, protest actions have been undertaken by the workers and their representatives.
In March 2021, the company announced it would have closed 60 of its stores in North America due to a transition to online sale only.
Eurofound (2021), Disney Store, Closure in Italy, factsheet number 104927, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/104927.