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.
On 11 March 2016, lignite producer Mibrag announced to cut 300 out of 3,000 jobs in Germany by 2020. Whilst the company does not intend to dismiss employees, the job reduction is to be realised by not filling positions that will become vacant. According to Mibrag, the company needs to cut jobs due to the price decline in electricity and a lower demand for lignite. Mibrag’s sites are mainly located in Eastern Germany. The company has not yet provided information on which sites will be affected and to what extent.
Eurofound (2016), Mibrag, Internal restructuring in Germany, factsheet number 86691, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/86691.