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.
Kuehne+Nagel, a multinational logistical service provider has announced it will close down its facility in Nivelles. In total, approximately 549 jobs will be affected or lost by this restructuring plan. The company management has decided that the facility was not profitable and productive enough compared to its counterparts both within and outside of the company. Instead, the activities of the facility will be taken over at other locations in the country. The company has anounced the intention to close the branch in the autumm of 2022.
News of the closure ware received with serious animosity by employees and trade unions. The latter complained that the company management undertook too little effort to allow employees at the facility to transfer to others and even stated that these decisions "mean war". Because of this, actions were undertaken by the unions, including strikes.
Eurofound (2021), Kühne+Nagel, Internal restructuring in Belgium, factsheet number 105352, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/105352.