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.
Ullevål universitetssykehus, part of the state-owned regional health trust Helse Sør-Øst, has announced that it is to cut 100 to 300 jobs by the end of the year due to large deficits over the last years. The restructuring will affect all categories of personnel and it will be phased out in several stages. In a first phase 100 full-time positions will be reduced, but the goal is to cut 300 full-time positions by the end of 2008.
On 4 February 2008 the Board meeting of the hospital approved budget cuts for a total of 406 MNOK in view to achieve budget balance. This is about 6% of the total budget which mainly consists of personnel costs (70%). The employee representatives on the Board voted against the cuts. They are concerned about reduced services to patients and complain against lack of risk assessment.The hospital states that it seeks close cooperation with the union representatives through the restructuring process.
Eurofound (2008), Ullevål universitetssykehus, Internal restructuring in Norway, factsheet number 66274, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/66274.