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.
Retailer Toys R Us is reported to be cutting 800 jobs and closing a number of its UK outlets. The toy retailer had previously been reported to be on the brink of collapse, which would have threatened all 3,200 of its employees. However, the Pension Protection Fund and the business's creditors have backed plans for a company voluntary arrangement (CVA). The CVA means that at least 26 of the chain's loss making stores will close and there will be staff reductions at other sites. The changes are subject to the statutory consultation procedures and discussions will open at the start of 2018. For the time being no job cuts will take place, though it is reported that cuts are expected from the spring of 2018.
Eurofound (2017), Toys R Us, Internal restructuring in United Kingdom, factsheet number 92939, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/92939.