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.
Raiffeisen Bank has announced the closure of 10 branches and the dismissal of around 200 employees in Hungary. Raiffeisen had 141 branches and has taken the decision to reorganize and rationalize its activities. Reasons for the restructuring according to the bank's announcement were the consequences of the economic and financial crises, narrowing incomes, a new system of redemption with relapsing lending and the new taxation system (see here).
Given that the bank will continue with its rationalization process throughout 2012, further job cuts might be implemented, as the bank has booked EUR 300 million losses in 2011.
However, Raiffeisen has confirmed that it will not exit the Hungarian market.
Eurofound (2012), Raiffeisen Bank, Internal restructuring in Hungary, factsheet number 72986, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/72986.