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.
One of the world's leading tobacco companies, British American Tobacco (BAT), announced plans to cut 950 jobs at its site in Bayreuth by the end of 2017. The site specialises in the production of ready-made cigarettes and semi-finished goods. Job cuts are due to the transfer of the production to Poland, Hungary, Rumania and Croatia. According to the company, this measure has become necessary due to immense high production costs in Germany, declining tobacco consumption throughout Europe, government regulations and numerous tax increases. However, Germany will continue to be a major market for BAT in Europe. The company wants to sell or scrap the machines of the plant. The Bayreuth region reacts with millions worth an investment package to absorb the job losses and to ensure economic stability as BAT is the largest employer of the city. Out of the current 1,400 positions only 370 will remain in the city of Bayreuth.
British American Tobacco, headquartered in London, currently employs around 2,000 employees in Germany. Â
Eurofound (2016), British American Tobacco (BAT), Offshoring/Delocalisation in Germany, factsheet number 88190, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/88190.