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.
Klöckner & Co, producer and independent distributor of steel and metal products, is currently reducing its staff levels in an attempt to cut costs. As announced previously, the company is planning to reduce capacity by closing operations in 60 of its 270 locations. In total, 1,800 jobs will be affected, an extra 300 jobs compared to previous statements made by the company.
As part of this restructuring programme, the company is currently selling its entire Eastern European operations, with transactions being completed for the Czech Republic, Bulgaria and Romania and activities in Poland and Lithuania expected to be sold during the first quarter of 2013.
The company currently employs around 11,000 staff and operates in 20 countries.
Eurofound (2012), Klöckner & Co, Internal restructuring in European Union, factsheet number 74722, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/74722.