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.
Belgian company specializing in materials technology and battery recycling Umicore has announced that it will cut 260 jobs globally.
The programme will affect positions in Belgium, China and Denmark. In Belgium, about 100 positions are expected to be cut UMICORE-2024-BE. The layoffs will primarily affect R&D roles at the Olen facility and some corporate functions in Brussels. The employees involved will mainly be white collar workers as well as professional and managerial staff. Additional reductions are planned in China and Denmark, with R&D activities for heavy-duty diesel applications being moved to Hanau, Germany.
The decision follows reduced demand for battery materials, due to the transition to electric vehicles, and is expected to save €40 million annually by 2025.
Globally, Umicore employs around 12,000 people, including 3,500 in Belgium
Eurofound (2024), Umicore, Internal restructuring in World, factsheet number 201980, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/201980.