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.
Netherlands-based plastic tubing manufacturer Wavin announced its plans to cut 80 jobs in the UK and 70 in continental Europe. The cuts are planned for the first half of 2012. The countries affected are the UK, France, Italy and the Netherlands.
It is reported that the cuts are required because of a stagnating European construction market and pressures on margins. The job cuts will save around 5 million Euros per year. The restructuring charge will be 3 million Euros.
The press has reported Wavin's restructuring activities in the context of the potential acquisition of Wavin by Mexichem, a Mexican chemicals company. However, Wavin has emphasized that the acquisition does not affect employee numbers and the takeover should be treated as a separate event.
Eurofound (2012), Wavin, Internal restructuring in European Union, factsheet number 73244, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/73244.