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.
The German company Robert Bosch announced that it will reduce the number of jobs at its production site for electric motors for car applications in Bühl by 200 full-time posts until the end of 2025. According to the company, the production of electric car window drivers has become unprofitable an will be delocalised to another European country. The jobs cuts will be between 200 and 230 and will be implemented without direct dismissals. The final decision comes after a 21 months negotiation between the company and the works council led by the union IG Metall. Part of the agreement is also that the site in Brühl will additionally take over the production of electrical bike stators and the company has agreed to invest €20 million into the modernisation of the site, among others in the production lines for ABS motors, thermal management, seat adjuster drives, and electric compact actuators.
Eurofound (2022), Bosch Werk Bühl/Bühlertal , Offshoring/Delocalisation in Germany, factsheet number 106445, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/106445.