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.
Pharmaceutical company Merck Sharp & Dohme has recently acquired the factory in Hérouville-Saint-Clair (Calvados) from Schering-Plough as part of a merger. The move will result in the loss of 107 jobs of a total 422 staff employed at the site. Direct dismissals are ruled out.
The company intends to invest 4.21mn in the newly acquired site. In doing so, the company will increase capacity, improve efficiency and health and safety standards. The site produces drugs including antibiotics, antivirals and cancer treatments, mainly in liquid form.
Eurofound (2012), Laboratoire Merck Schering-Plough, Merger/Acquisition in France, factsheet number 73307, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/73307.