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.
Ikea has decided to cut 110 jobs in Sweden. Those affected work in Malmö (90) and Helsingborg (20), within the areas of HR, communication and sustainability. Ikea calls these job positions as 'global functions'.
The reduction measure is described as a historic decision by IKEA, as the company has never cut so many jobs at the same time before. Ikea explains that the company is carrying out a comprehensive reorganisation, preceded by a deep analysis that is part of a big change process.
There is no information on when the employment effect will start. However, Ikea and the the trade unions (mainly Unionen) are currently in a dialog on how to best handle the situation and those affected by the decision.
Ikea is a global company with 149,000 employeers around the world. Approximately 7,000 work in Sweden. The main office in Sweden lays in Helsingborg.
Ikea has recently announced a cut of another 40 posts in the Netherlands and in Belgium.
Eurofound (2018), Ikea, Internal restructuring in Sweden, factsheet number 93990, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/93990.