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.
Manitou, a manufacturer of fork-lift trucks, announced its plans to recruit 200 employees for its plant at Ancenis (Loire-Atlantique). They will be mainly recruited on permanent contract but also on fixed term contract, to increase the staff able to deal with the digitalisation of the company. The company is seeking for people responsible for research and development (designers, project managers, engineers) but also responsible for human resources, buyers, suppliers, salespeople, and sales managers. Manitou has seen its turnover increasing of about 19% in 2017. Its workforce has increased from 3,300 in 2016 to about 4,000 in 2017. Previous job expansions included 120 job creation in 2011, 130 job creations in 2007 but also a reorganisation with 324 job cuts in 2009.
Eurofound (2018), Manitou, Business expansion in France, factsheet number 94734, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/94734.