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.
P&V, a Belgian insurance provider has announced the dismissal of 300 of its employees. Similar to the announced layoffs at AXA, the main reasoning behind the decision is the impact of ongoing low interest rates combined with increased investments in digitalization. The company states it strives to make the layoffs as socially responsible as possible by decreasing the amount of direct dismissals to an absolute minimum and opting for voluntary dismissals and natural attrition instead. Almost all of the employees that will lose their job are white collar workers. Trade unions state that they hope that the management will be able to fulfil their promises and will monitor the way the actual dismissals are implemented; it is foreseen that the job cuts will be enacted by 2020 and avoiding as far as possible collective dismissals. The company has also indicated it will seek a new deal with remaining employees on pay and remuneration.
Eurofound (2016), P&V, Internal restructuring in Belgium, factsheet number 88580, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/88580.