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.
Novomatic, a global gaming company, with headquarters in Gumpoldskirchen (Lower Austria) is to cut 80 out of 800 jobs in Vienna.
Since the beginning of 2015 ‘small gambling’ (Kleines Glückspiel) is prohibited in Vienna. Novomatic operated the majority of Viennas slot and gaming machines which had to be put out of service due to the changes in legislation. After a decrease in revenue the company has now announced that 80 employees were registered with early warning system of the Public Employment Services (AMS). According to a company spokesperson, this step has become necessary due to the new legal situation. While the company tries to keep as many employees as possible, further job cuts in Vienna cannot be ruled out.
Novomatic produces gaming equipment but also operates gaming outlets. The company employs approximately 20,000 people worldwide of wich 3,000 are employed in Austria.
Eurofound (2015), Novomatic, Internal restructuring in Austria, factsheet number 78209, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/78209.