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.
Jastrzębska Spółka Węglowa (JSW), a coal mining company, has announced that it will cut 615 jobs in Jastrzębie III unit in early January 2022. According to a restructuring programme, the 615 workers, along with the non-productive assets of the company’s subsidiary Jastrzębie III, will be transferred to Spółka Restrukturyzacji Kopalń (Mine Restructuring Company): it manages the process of liquidation of unprofitable mining companies. Jastrzębie III is to be closed by Spółka Restrukturyzacji Kopalń, and the employees will be covered by protective measures. Redundant workers will receive one-time severance pay in the amount of PLN 120,000 (€25,934).
JSW also revealed that 1,804 miners (three times more than anticipated) applied for the programme involving pre-retirement leaves and other measures. The programme is to be implemented under the so-called mining law containing protective measures aiming at increasing financial effectiveness in Poland’s coal-mining industry. Currently, Jastrzębska Spółka Węglowa employs about 22,000 people.
Eurofound (2021), Jastrzębska Spółka Węglowa, Internal restructuring in Poland, factsheet number 105604, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/105604.