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.
Online retailer Amazon has announced plans to open a new distribution centre in Bolton. The new site will be the company's third distribution centre in the North-West and will create 1,200 new jobs, bringing Amazon's total employment in the region to 3,500. The site will use new robotic technology, meaning that employees will work alongside robots.
The centre is set to open sometime in 2018, though the recruitment process is already underway. Amazon have been criticised for their employment practices, though the leader of the local council has welcomed the new jobs. Initially employees will be paid 7.65 GBP per hour, rising to 8.15 GBP after two years. Permanent employees also receive stock options.
This latest expansion of Amazon follows major expansion throughout 2017.
Eurofound (2017), Amazon, Business expansion in United Kingdom, factsheet number 92376, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/92376.