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.
Dutch-based courier delivery services company TNT Express is to shed 4,000 positions out of its global workforce by 2015. Next to reducing the company’s workforce, cost reduction measures will also include the selling of TNT’s subsidiaries in China and Brazil. Two thirds of the planned job reductions will however be carried out in Europe, with the company hoping to keep layoffs at a minimum. The company currently employs around 68,600 staff operating across 200 countries.
UPDATE 27 November 2013:
In late November 2013, TNT Express announced that 637 positions will be eliminated in Germany and the UK as part of the company’s worldwide restructuring plan.
Earlier this year, announcements were made for the job cuts in Italy and France.
Eurofound (2013), TNT Express, Internal restructuring in World, factsheet number 75135, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/75135.