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.
Defence contractor BAE systems has announced that 440 management jobs are under threat at various locations across the UK. The company which manufactures part for military aircrafts conducts the majority of its business with the UK government. Over half the threatened jobs are at sites in Lancashire which are responsible for manufacture of helicopter parts. Other sites for job losses have been identified in Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, Surrey, Norfolk and Dorset. Losses may also occur in other non-specified locations.
A 45 day consultation with employee representatives is expected to take place. A spokesperson for BAE systems confirmed that the company would seek to work with employee representatives to explore ways of avoiding or lessening the impact of job loss.
ERM reported previously a restructuring event in 2013 affecting its Naval Shipbuilding business.
Eurofound (2014), BAE Systems, Internal restructuring in United Kingdom, factsheet number 77739, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/77739.