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.
Italian aircraft manufacturer Piaggio Aerospace (previously named Piaggio Aero Industries) announced its intention to dismiss 132 workers at the plant in Villanova d’Albenga.
The decision follows the disclosure of the industrial plan in July 2016. According to the plan, the company is to discontinue the production of passenger aircraft, which no longer generates profits.
As a result, 132 workers who currently benefit from the Wages Guarantee Fund (see Piaggio Aero IndustriesIT-2014) are to lose their job. Another 500 blue-collar workers employed in the manufacturing of engines for passenger aircraft may be transferred to potential buyers.
After the unions accused the company of withdrawing from its previous commitments, the management temporarily froze the collective dismissal procedure, accepting to discuss the plan without strictly adhering to the deadlines set out by regulations on collective dismissals.
Eurofound (2016), Piaggio Aerospace, Internal restructuring in Italy, factsheet number 88610, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/88610.