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 utility Stadtwerke Augsburg plans to cut 100 jobs by the end of 2020. The municipal utility already announced these measures last autumn, however, the figures increased from 60 to 100 affected jobs. Redundancies have become necessary as the municipal utility reorganises the energy sector. The restructuring programme was developed after a merger with Erdgas Schwaben was prevented by a local referendum. Job cuts should be carried out as socially acceptable as possible for exmaple via natural fluctuation. Furthermore, compulsory redundancies are to be avoided.
Trade union Verdi criticises this step since employees are already working overtime. Moreover, Verdi questions the high expenditure spent on external consulting companies. Stadtwerke Augsburg currently employs 900 staff.
Eurofound (2016), Stadtwerke Augsburg, Internal restructuring in Germany, factsheet number 87281, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/87281.