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.
Mondelez is seeking up to 160 redundancies from two plants, in Dublin and Kerry, while it plans to close a third plant in 2016.
The redundancies will be in operative, craft & administrative positions. 108 of the redundancies are in operative roles (90 in Coolock, Co Dublin; 18 in Rathmore, Co Kerry), with the remaining redundancies are in craft & administration across both plants.
Unions have expressed concern at the redundancies but are engaging with the company on redundancy proposals and severance terms.
The reason for the redundancies, proffered by the company, is that costs are too high in Ireland - up to twice the cost of operating in other countries.
Severance terms that applied at Mondelez, in 2009, are understood to be on offer this time. The package varies with length of service, but it works on a mulplier of statutory redundancy basis, e.g. for those with 2-15 years' service: statutory redundancy x3
Mondelez says it is investing over €11m into its plant in Dublin and says it has a long-term commitment.
The company has also announced it is to close its plant in Tallaght, with the expected job loss of 52. A closure date of March 2016 has been given, though SIPTU is seeking to at least extend this closure deadline.
Eurofound (2015), Mondelez, Internal restructuring in Ireland, factsheet number 78682, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/78682.