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.
Between now and 2017, Hella, an automotive supplier of lightening equipment, will cut up to 800 positions at its main manufacturing plant at Lippstadt. This will affect mainly lower skilled and administrative positions adding to manufacturing jobs that are to be outsourced to foreign markets of German car manufacturers.
300 jobs are expected to be cut by means of early retirement. Another 450 workers shall be asked to accept a severance pay and leave the company voluntarily.
In 2009, the ERM reported on another job reduction measure at Hella’s.
Eurofound (2014), Hella, Offshoring/Delocalisation in Germany, factsheet number 76599, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/76599.