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.
The ailing company Baumax, an Austrian chain of retail stores for construction materials and household goods, is to dismiss up to 1100 employees after being taken over.
In August 2015 Baumax was taken over by the German building materials stores operator OBI. OBI announced it would take over 49 out of 65 branches from Baumax Including all its employees (currently there are negotiations to find different buyers for the remaining 16 branches). The company headquarters in Klosterneuburg (Lower Austria) and a distribution centre in Aspern (Vienna) will be shut down. Baumax has registered 1100 employees with The Public Employment Services' (AMS) early warning system. Depending on which stores OBI chooses to close, the number of dismissals is subject to change.
For the 280 affected employees at the headquarters and 120 in the distribution centre a social plan has been agreed upon by management and social partners. Baumax will provide €7.5 million for the social plan which also includes provisions for a 'Work Foundation' [Arbeitstifftung] for workers over 50 with more than 15 years experience.
Eurofound (2015), Baumax, Merger/Acquisition in Austria, factsheet number 84586, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/84586.