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.
Pilkington Automotive, a manufacturer of automotive glasses, has announced a plan to close its Ylöjärvi plant with up to 320 lay-offs. The company is starting negotiations with employee representatives.
Pilkington's Ylöjärvi plant produces windshields and the company cites continuing poor demand for automobiles as the reason for the closure. About 40 office personnel are excluded from the lay-offs as they also serve company's other units in Finland.
Pilkington's announcement lead to criticism from its unions and a walk-out from the plant. Union representatives noted that the decision was effectively made in the spring of 2012, when the company closed its Lahti plant, which provided raw material to Ylöjärvi.
UPDATE, 01-02-2013: Pilkington has confirmed the closure of the Ylöjärvi plant by the end of June 2013. Of the remaining 250 employees approx. 230 will be laid off, whereas 20 may be employed in other units.
Eurofound (2012), Pilkington Automotive, Closure in Finland, factsheet number 74396, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/74396.