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.
Tridonic, a leading supplier of lighting technology from Austria, is relocating part of its production from Dornbirn in Austria to Nisch in Serbia, making 170 employees redundant.
The 170 affected employees have been reported to the Public Employment Service for dismissal. According to Tridonic, the declining demand and high price pressure for LED products led to this restructuring.
Management, works council and the union held initial talks on how to proceed with those affected. The company is working on a "comprehensive social plan" which, in addition to severance payments, also provides for a work foundation for further training. Companies have already expressed interest in the employees at the Public Employment Service.
Tridonic is a subsidiary of the Zumtobel group in Dornbirn (Vorarlberg). The Zumtobel Group generated revenues of EUR 1.209 billion in the 2022/23 financial year. The Group employs around 5,500 people, including almost 1,700 at Tridonic.
Eurofound (2023), Tridonic, Offshoring/Delocalisation in Austria, factsheet number 200391, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/200391.