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.
On 10 December 2008, the insurance company Ergo announced that it is to cut around 1,800 jobs by the end of 2010. First information on a job reduction scheme was released on 29 July 2008 when the company had stated to cut 1930 jobs. However, negotiations between Ergo management and the works council led to a reduction of the figure to 1,800 jobs. The management furthermore stated that it was to refrain from redundancies due to business operations till 2012. The job cuts are to be implemented through other job reduction measures, such as early retirement schemes and natural wastage.
Eurofound (2008), Ergo, Internal restructuring in Germany, factsheet number 66934, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/66934.