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.
Marks and Spencer has announced a further round of its plan which will see around 100 stores close by 2022. The latest announcement has named a further 17 stores, taking the total number up to 55, 30 of which have already closed. The latest plans will result in the loss of 1,045 jobs which are now subject to the statutory consultation process. There may be opportunities for redeployment for affected employees if other stores have current vacancies. The company intends to move a third of its sales online and plans to have fewer stores in better locations.
The previous round of restructures was announced in May 2018. The USDAW trade union has again criticised the retailer's 'piecemeal' approach to its restructuring programme.
Eurofound (2019), Marks and Spencer, Internal restructuring in United Kingdom, factsheet number 96662, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/96662.