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.
German plant manufacturer M+W Group is to cut 215 jobs in Stuttgart where currently 600 staff are employed. The company will give up its photovoltaic and semiconductors departments. Both departmets suffer from a weak order situation and have run losses for the past three years. According to the company's management, the job recduction measure is necessary for the Stuttgart site to remain financially sustainable. The company has yet to negotiate a social plan with their works council. A detailed timeframe for the job reduction has yet to be announced.
M+W Group is a traditional company founded in 1912 and currently employs around 7,000 staff in more than 30 countries worldwide.
Eurofound (2015), M+W Group, Closure in Germany, factsheet number 78463, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/78463.