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.
NSK, a Japanese manufacturer of steering systems for the motoring industry, announced plans 160 dismissals with the relocation of its Peterlee operations. The capacities will be taken up by the NSSP factory in Walbrzych, Poland. According to the company, "doing so will enhance the profitability of the European steering operations. NSSP will concentrate on the production of electric power steering systems (EPS), which are experiencing a rise in demand, and will strive to meet the growing needs of the market by supplying high-quality, competitive EPS products". The transfer in Poland will be complete by the middle of 2010. The Unite union has been working with the staff and management during the consultation period.
Eurofound (2009), NSK Steering, Offshoring/Delocalisation in United Kingdom, factsheet number 69886, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/69886.