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.
Kemira, a Finland-based manufacturer and supplier of fertilizers and industrial chemicals, has launched a global cost saving programme which will result in the loss of up to 300 jobs in Finland. Cost-reduction measures will include improvements to the group's structure, organization and current operating models. The aim is to save more than EUR 50 million per year, of which more than EUR 20 million is planned to come from Kemira's Finnish operations.
Kemira announced on Monday 4th of August to start personnel negotiations at five of the group's Finnish sites. Negotiations will be commenced at the sites based in Oulu, Vaasa, Äetsä, Espoo and Helsinki.
"We intend to achieve personnel cost reductions in the first place by reorganising tasks and re-allocating positions and by early retirement. None of our Finnish sites will be closed, but the possibility of some direct layoffs cannot unfortunately be ruled out. Over the next few weeks, we will negotiate the process with our employee representatives," states Jukka Oinonen, VP, Human Resources, Kemira Finland.
Kemira has approximately 10,700 employees worldwide, some 3,000 of whom are based in 13 sites in Finland.
Eurofound (2008), Kemira, Internal restructuring in Finland, factsheet number 66957, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/66957.