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.
Despite a record turnover in 2022, Grundfos, a large Danish company mainly manufacturing pumps for the global market has announced the dismissal of 120 employees. This will include 105 unskilled workers and 15 skilled workers in their manufacturing departments in Bjerringbro and Ålestrup. Despite the record turnover, sales have been less than expected and during the covid-19 pandemic the company built up a large stock which means that there is less need for new production. No dismissals has been made in Grundfos units outside Denmark. The local trade union shop stewards have negotiated the number of dismissals down from the initial plans and has secured severance agreements for the dismissed employees.
Eurofound (2023), Grundfos , Internal restructuring in Denmark, factsheet number 109217, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/109217.