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 12 April 2012, Mitsubishi announced plans to close its plant producing electric and other forklifts in Almere, Netherlands. The decision will come into force at the end of 2012, resulting in the loss of 400 jobs. The production of the electric lifts will be relocated to a plant in Finland; the other production line will be closed down. The head office and the marketing department will remain in service.
The motives for the closure are said to be unclear. According to the Mitsubishi representatives, the plant operates at a loss. The closure plans have already been submitted to the council, but the trade unions have criticized this decision.
Eurofound (2012), MCFE, Closure in Netherlands, factsheet number 73636, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/73636.