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.
The publishing-group Verlagsgruppe NEWS (VGN) announced to cut up to 100 jobs as part of an internal restructuring programme.
After two years of heavy financial losses of approximately €5 million, management presented plans to reduce expenses by €10 million. This will be achieved with a bundle of measures, including cut backs in office rents but also personnel costs. Restructuring measures were recommended by a business consultant and will be implemented in the following month in view of improving the company's financial results in 2017. Additionally, the publishing group wants to develop new strategies to position itself for future challenges resulting from an increase in digitalisation.
Management announced that there will be a social plan for affected employees, negotiations with trade unions will follow. The company currently employees 500 staff.
Eurofound (2016), Verlagsgruppe News (VGN), Internal restructuring in Austria, factsheet number 88721, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/88721.