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 24 January 2012, the management of the technical textile manufacturer Chomarat has announced a new social plan with 182 dismissals after it revised a first draft affecting 122 positions under the pressure of industrial action.
The company has lost 4 million Euros in 2011 and 6 Million Euros in the last two years.
UPDATE 26/07/12: After negotiation with employees' representatives, the number of forced dismissal was reduced to 35. 93 employees have agreed to leave the company in the framework of a voluntary departure plan. Another 58 will leave the company via early retirement. In total, 186 employees will leave the company. 90% of the employees have accepted a decrease in their working time from 35 to 32 hours per week, with a decrease of their income by 3.5%. There will also be a salary freeze until 2014.
Eurofound (2012), Chomarat Textiles Industries, Internal restructuring in France, factsheet number 72693, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/72693.