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.
In October 2012, Coca-Cola Enterprise announced its intentions to cut up to 170 positions by 2013 in its commercial and marketing divisions in addition to 29 job cuts in the finance department. According to statements, no jobs in the manufacturing division are threatened.
The dismissals will be carried out in the framework of a wider European restructuring plan announced last September which proposes job cuts in various departments in many European countries (see here and here). The management has stated the need to adapt to important changes taking place in the market and to preserve its competitiveness. The group would like to avoid forced dismissals and will propose internal mobility where possible.
The unions have stated their disappointment with the decision as the group achieved a turnover of 8.3 billion dollars in 2011. A European Works Council meeting took place in Brussels following the announcement, and further cuts are expected throughout Europe
Eurofound (2012), Coca-Cola Entreprise, Internal restructuring in France, factsheet number 74424, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/74424.