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.
In receivership since 26 April, the Fonmarty et Fils factory, which manufactures doors and windows, has not found a buyer within the timeframe imposed by the commercial court. This has led the court to order its liquidation on 6 July and the redundancy of its 165 employees. The only potential buyer to have submitted a takeover application within the time limit set by the commercial court has reportedly decided not to proceed.The mayor of Bazas, where the plant is located, is concerned about the impact of this closure on her municipality, because of the negative impact on trade and a debt of €270,000 for electricity supply left by the company to the municipality. A support and search unit has been set up with the local authority, the public employment service (Pôle emploi) and the State to help employees find work. The town hall has also assured the employees that it will provide premises and 'human resources for administrative purposes if required'.
Eurofound (2023), Fonmarty et Fils, Bankruptcy in France, factsheet number 109198, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/109198.