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 5 September 2017, the German forge Saarschmiede announced a significant internal restructuring programme that will result in the loss of 430 jobs at its site in Völklingen, halving its 850-headed workforce. The forge in Völklingen had a deficit of €63 million last year. Consequently, Saarschmiede plans to implement restructuring measures as soon as possible in order to reduce its losses by the end of 2018. Furthermore, Saarschmiede will continue adapting its policies to developments in the energy market, which was shocked by the catastrophe in Fukushima in 2011.
A social plan has yet to be negotiated but a company’s representative said the transition will be as smooth as possible.
Eurofound (2017), Saarschmiede, Internal restructuring in Germany, factsheet number 91873, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/91873.