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.
Oil and gas industry company Schlumberger has announced plans to close its site in Newtownabbey, Northern Ireland. The closure will result in the loss of 220 jobs. The multinational, which has had a base in Northern Ireland for over 60 years, designs and manufactures equipment used in oil and gas extraction. The company has highlighted the global downturn in the oil and gas markets as the main reason for its decision. The plans are subject to the statutory consultation process, though indications are that the final closure of the site is expected sometime in 2018. Unite the union is seeking to meet Schlumberger soon and demand answers to the decision.
Eurofound (2017), Schlumberger, Closure in United Kingdom, factsheet number 92359, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/92359.