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.
Confectionery giant Mars is cutting 700 jobs at sites in the UK as production is transferred overseas. The company will close one of its main UK factories in Slough, Berkshire, with the loss of 500 jobs over two years. A further 200 posts will go at the firm's five other plants in Leicestershire, Peterborough, Kings Lynn and Leeds.
Owners Masterfoods said it was reducing its workforce by more than 1,000 across Europe, with 370 jobs also being lost in France and Germany. Production of Twix bars would move to France and Germany, while Starburst sweets would be made in the Czech Republic. Union officials have criticised the plans, saying Mars had refused to consult with workers' representatives.
Eurofound (2005), Masterfoods, Internal restructuring in European Union, factsheet number 61251, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/61251.