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.
Bergerac NC, a French manufacturer of paints, varnishes and printer inks, announced on 19th July 2007 that it is to cut its workforce of 260 at its site in Bergerac by a third before the end of 2008. Between 80 and 100 jobs will be cut between September 2007 and December 2008. The firm's parent company is Société Nationale des Poudres et Explosifs (SNPE), a state-owned explosives manufacturer in France.
Bergerac NC also stated that the unit had been adversely affected by the weak US dollar, and that this had particularly affected its nitrocellulose business. The chairman and CEO of SNPE met with union representatives in late July 2007, ahead of a board meeting scheduled for September 2007.
Eurofound (2007), Bergerac NC, Internal restructuring in France, factsheet number 65643, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/65643.