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 courier delivery services company TNT Express is to cut 857 jobs (out of 3,000) in Italy. According to the company, the job cuts are part of the new world business plan "Deliver!" (see TNT –WO2013).
The trade unions reacted to the company’s decision requesting further discussion in order to defend the workforce.
Updated, 25/06/2014:
Following the strikes put in place by the trade unions, employees have been admitted to benefit special wages guarantee fund (the so-called CIG in deroga). The measure, initially planned up to 31 December 2013 has been renewed several times. Finally, the guarantee has been extended until 31 August 2014 and if a solution is not found by that date, the risk of layoffs may recur. Trade Unions, considering unsatisfactory a possible two-month renewal, are calling on the Government to find the financial resources needed to ensure the benefit until 2015.
Eurofound (2013), TNT Express, Internal restructuring in Italy, factsheet number 75515, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/75515.