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.
The German energy provider Eon has announced it will cut approximately 5,000 jobs as part of its merger with RWE Innogy. According to Eon's CEO, cuts are inevitable due to a complete reorganisation of Eon’s business dealings. Eon will be focusing on the energy grid and end-user business. The job reduction will be done in a socially acceptable manner and in close cooperation with social partners. Innogy’s works council has already announced that one of the main demands will be the avoidance of operational terminations. An exact timetable has yet to be announced, however, Eon expects to reach an agreement regarding the job reduction by summer 2018 and to conclude the merger in mid-2019.
After the merger, Eon will have approximately 65,000 employees.
Eurofound (2018), Eon, Merger/Acquisition in Germany, factsheet number 93981, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/93981.