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.
US-owned firm Tyco is closing its Cork plant with the loss of 320 jobs. Tyco, which makes safety products, will retain only 20 members of its entire Irish workforce which, just five years ago, totalled more than 500. The plant will be wound down by mid-2009. Tyco will transfer its entire Irish manufacturing operation to an unnamed low-cost market. It has been speculated that the jobs could be relocated to the Far East or Central America. General manager Donal Sullivan expressed regret at the decision, but said the move was unavoidable. "We faced increased operating costs over the last number of years affected by labour costs, freight costs, but maybe most crucially by exchange rate movements -- a very strong euro versus the dollar." Tyco manufactures and sells a variety of safety products, including fire detection and suppression products, breathing apparatus and anti-theft tags.
Eurofound (2008), Tyco Safety Products, Offshoring/Delocalisation in Ireland, factsheet number 67144, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/67144.