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.
Energy company British Gas has announced plans to cut 500 jobs from its UK workforce. The company currently employs 28,000 people in the UK and is involved in various aspects of the energy supply business. It is understood that the majority of the positions are being cut from offices in Leeds, Oxford and Leicester. The roles affected are said to include staff who deal in insulation - both cavity wall and for lofts. A spokesperson for the GMB union condemned the cuts, especially as they come after a recent restructure which was intended to ensure that the business remained competitive. It is not yet known when these latest job cuts will take effect.
Eurofound (2016), British Gas, Internal restructuring in United Kingdom, factsheet number 86421, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/86421.