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.
On 18 October 2016, the retail chain Real SB Warenhaus, a subsidiary of the retail and wholesale giant Metro, announced an internal restructuring programme, which includes up to 500 job cuts as well as up to 3,000 new jobs.
The job cut will take place at Real's headquarter and in its administration. It will be implemented within the next 18 months. Real plans to save costs and to decentralise its administration. In return, the company will strengthen its sales management and the accountability of their branches. Therefore, Real plans to hire up to 3,000 new employees in sales within the next five years.
The management will negotiate with the works' council about socially acceptable solutions, but did not exclude direct dismissals. Real currently employs 36,063 at 293 sites in Germany.
Eurofound (2016), Real SB-Warenhaus, Internal restructuring in Germany, factsheet number 89034, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/89034.