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.
Dutch-based automotive group Stellantis announced that an agreement has been reached with all the metalworkers' unions for a voluntary redundancy plan involving 390 workers, mostly employed at the 'Enti Centrali' in Turin. The contract signed at the Ministry of Labour provides for a voluntary exodus plan for 390 employees, in addition with a recruitment plan involving at least 130 young permanent employees.
Eligibility for voluntary departures is reserved to employees who are at least five years from retirement age and who work in non-productive divisions, like administration, research and financial services. The exits will take place by 30 November 2021.
According to the company, the employment turnover is deemed necessary to accelerate the transition to electric vehicles production, in line with the goal to have all the models produced converted to plug-in hybrid or full electric by 2025.
The group has also recently announced two other voluntary redundancy plans in Italy: at the Melfi plant (affecting 300 jobs), and the the Mirafiori and Grugliasco plants (jointly affecting 800 jobs).
Eurofound (2021), Stellantis, Internal restructuring in Italy, factsheet number 105359, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/105359.