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 regional government of Östergötland has announced that they will be reducing the number of employees by 900. The proposal has been discussed with the regional government's co-operation group and the unions, and cooperation negotiations are now initiated.
It will take between three to four months to finalise during which people will be subject to redundancy notices. The redundancies will affect healthcare professionals, such as administrative staff, medical-technical staff, social-therapeutic staff, and other healthcare professionals. Doctors and nurses, as well as Public dental care and the region's schools, are spared from the notice.
The reason for the layoffs is the regional government of Östergötland’s economic situation. In 2023, results within health care were down with SEK 1,667 million, approximately € 149 million. Despite various attempts during last year to decrease costs, the result deteriorated sharply in the autumn. Earlier attempts to curb the cost trend included a hiring freeze, reducing staff costs by 6% in health care, and restrictive and prioritised investments. Simultaneously, the administrative organisation in regional management has been decreased.
The regional government of Östergötland employs around 14,600 people mainly within the health care sector.
Eurofound (2024), Region Östergötland, Internal restructuring in Sweden, factsheet number 200857, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/200857.