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.
Independent Newspapers in Dublin is seeking up to 205 redundancies, almost a third of its workforce in the capital - to be completed by the end of May 2004. Independent Newspapers announced that it plans to outsource many of the functions currently carried out in its Middle Abbey Street operation in Dublin. The Irish Independent, Evening Herald and Sunday Independent are produced at its Dublin office. The redundancies are affecting clerical, administrative, telesales, finance and pre-press areas. Journalists in Middle Abbey Street and printing staff at City West, both in Dublin, are not affected by the decision. Clerical, administrative, telesales and pre-press functions are increasingly being outsourced by the company and it is negotiating with various 'service providers' to perform these tasks in future. A comprehensive severance package is on offer ranging from 40,000 euros for an employee with short service to 260,000 euros for an employee with 40 years' service.
Eurofound (2004), Independent Newspapers, Outsourcing in Ireland, factsheet number 60384, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/60384.