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.
Saverglass, a French firm that manufactures glass for beverage and perfume bottles, announced on 15th May 2025 the cut of 139 jobs. The firm is closing its furnace in the Torres et Cie factory in Le Havre after encountering various difficulties. The company needs to reform its production system to face the new needs of the market and respect the environmental norms.
The CGT representative Dimitri Grenier says that this decision isn't surprising. In 2024, the company proposed to their employees to reduce their wages by 5% in exchange for temporarily saving jobs - a project that didn't come to an end. Negotiations should take place with various trade unions on the 21st May and are foreseen to last between 4 to 6 months. The concerned actors are: the CGT, UNSA, CFTC and CFDT.
Updated, 24/09/25 After negotiations between management and trade unions, it was decided that 114 jobs would be cut. The trade unions are still hopeful that other jobs can be saved. The first dismissals will begin at the end of November.
Updated, 30/10/2025 The government has approved the job saving plan in Le Havre, which will result in 112 job cuts. Voluntary departures will take place until the end of November. The first dismissals will then take place in December. The trade union has criticised the plan for failing to take into account psychosocial risks.
Eurofound (2025), Saverglass, Internal restructuring in France, factsheet number 202737, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://apps.eurofound.europa.eu/restructuring-events/detail/202737.