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 7 December 2016, crane manufacture Terex confirmed a restructuring programme which includes job cuts. Reports from different newspapers vary in the numbers of job cuts. According to the daily Rheinpfalz, Terex announced to reduce their workforce at Zweibrücken by about 30%. Around 1,650 employees are currently working in Zweibrücken.
Other sources report that the restructuring plan also includes the closure of the Terex's site in Blieskastel-Bierbach where 200 staff are working at the moment. The company allegedly wants to sell the site as well as the machinery. However, the company announced to offer part of the affected staff members other jobs within the company. The administration department will also be affected by the job cuts.
Spokesman of the German Metalworkers’ Union assumes that up to 500 job cuts will be taking place. The crane manufacturer has been struggling with low sales figures due to the reduction of the oil price and decreasing investments for plant constructions.Already in March 2016, Terex announced to cut up to 160 in Germany (Terex MHPS, 2016).
Eurofound (2016), Terex, Internal restructuring in Germany, factsheet number 89391, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/89391.