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.
Banking group Nordea has announced that it plans to reduce its workforce in Finland by 500-650 employees. It is starting mandatory negotiations with employee representatives on the proposed cuts.
Nordea's cuts are a part of a larger restructuring plan, which also influences Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. The negotiations are expected to conclude in November. The company states that anticipated new regulations are expected to increase operation costs. It seeks to avoid direct dismissals and implement the cuts by other means.
A Finnish union representive expressed dismay over the proposed cuts and noted that Nordea has recently been financially successful.
Updated, 02-11-2011: Nordea has concluded negotiations and now reports redundancies of up to 450 employees. Most redundancies will take place through retirement.
Eurofound (2011), Nordea, Internal restructuring in Finland, factsheet number 72308, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/72308.