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.
Decathlon, an international chain of sport retail stores has announced the closure of its logistical facility in Willebroek. In total 132 employees are at risk of losing their job. The company management states that the restructuring of the facility is part of a broader strategy to transform the European distribution warehouse logistics network in order to better meet the changing needs of their customers.
The situation between trade unions, employees and the company management is tense. Trade union representatives were informed about the restructuring in a brief online meeting and seem to not be consulted further in the process, which is unusual in a restructuring effort of this size.
Update 16 July 2024
Decathlon and the socialist trade union BBTK have reached a social agreement concerning the staff at the Decathlon depot in Willebroek. Approximately 130 employees have the choice: to continue their future with Decathlon, with the new owner of the distribution centre, to work for Decathlon elsewhere, or to leave the company. The agreement follows nearly three months of negotiations.
Eurofound (2024), Decathlon, Internal restructuring in Belgium, factsheet number 201079, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/201079.