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.
Supermarket chain Waitrose has announced restructuring plans which will result in store closures and redundancies; approximately 678 jobs are reported to be at risk. Of these 678 jobs, 498 jobs will be lost due to store closures, while 180 jobs are reported to be cut as the company removes the role of department manager across the group. Most of the current 486 department managers will move to become deputy store managers and the company hopes to achieve the reductions over a longer time period through retirements and a voluntary redundancy programme. The company has confirmed that consultation has begun with employees over the proposed closure of six stores later in 2017. The stores destined to close are Leek, Hertford, Staines, Huntingdon, Cardiff Queen Street and Palmers Green. In the case of Palmers Green there will be a new store at nearby Winchmore Hill.
Eurofound (2017), Waitrose, Internal restructuring in United Kingdom, factsheet number 90188, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/90188.