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.
First Bank, a Romanian bank owned and managed by U.S. investment firm J.C. Flowers & Co., has announced plans to close or merge 40 branches all over Romania. As a result, 379 employees will be made redundant. The bank aims to accelerate the process of digitalisation and redesign its internal processes in order to support the integration of new technologies, while aiming to increase its market share through the launch of streamlined products and through possible acquisitions.
First Bank is based in Bucharest and provides a broad range of products and services targeting both domestic and international customers, including retail, SME and corporate banking services. The bank operates through 100 branches and has a workforce of about 1,300 people.
Eurofound (2019), First Bank, Internal restructuring in Romania, factsheet number 97386, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/97386.