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 5 December 2008, the producer of automotive components Rheinmetall announced to cut 250 jobs at its German sites. The job cuts are part of a restructuring programme set up to reduce operation costs by € 50 million. Job cuts are to be implemented by the beginning of 2010. Hit by the financial crisis and a drop in orders, the company additionally prolonged its company holidays over Christmas. Furthermore, reduced hours will be worked at its production sites in the first half-year of 2009. Rheinmetall currently employs 11,800 staff.
Eurofound (2008), Rheinmetall, Internal restructuring in Germany, factsheet number 67613, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/67613.