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 25 March 2009, the producer of car parts Grammer started to cut 227 jobs at its sites in the region of Amberg. The company stated that it anticipated a decline in sales of 25% to 30% in the first half of 2009 making job cuts were unavoidable. 184 staff are to be dismissed for operational reasons at Grammer's sites in Kümmersbruck, Immenstetten and Amberg. In addition, 43 workers holding a fixed-term contract are to leave the company's location at Haselmühl. The company negotiated a social plan with the Bavarian branch of the German Metalworkers' Union regulating the dismissals. This plan includes compensation payments as well as the setting up of a transfer agency to further the future career prospects of the affected workers.
Eurofound (2009), Grammer, Internal restructuring in Germany, factsheet number 68613, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/68613.