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 3 August 2017, beauty company Coty confirmed the closure of Wella's site in Hünfeld, Germany, resulting in the loss of 380 jobs. Hünfeld will cease its production mid-2018 as it is not as profitable as Wella's other sites in Rothenkirchen and Cologne.
Company representatives and the works council made an effort during negotiations to save the site in Hünfeld. However, proposals of the works council such as cutting only 100 jobs, and offers to have the remaining employees work more hours per week at reduced wages, were not taken up.
The next step will involve negotiating a social plan for Wella's employees at Hünfeld.
Eurofound (2017), Wella, Closure in Germany, factsheet number 91719, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/91719.