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.
On 20 September 2013, the German electricity producer RWE announced its intention to reduce its workforce at its Generation SE unit in the upcoming months.
While the company has not officially confirmed any numbers, according to industry insiders the job cuts will affect around 3,000 - 3,400 staff by the end of 2018.
The majority of job cuts will be carried out in Germany (approx. 2,300 positions), followed by the UK (approx. 900 positions) and the Netherlands (approx. 200 positions).
According to media reports, these restructuring measures have become necessary due to weak electricity demand in Europe and an increase in the output of alternative energy.
The company currently employs more than 70,000 staff.
For previous restructuring see RWE-EU2012.
Eurofound (2013), RWE, Internal restructuring in European Union, factsheet number 75892, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/75892.