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.
Thyssenkrupp, the German industrial group, announced a plan to cut 6,000 positions worldwide including 4,000 in Germany after it pulled out from a previous joint venture plan with Indian group Tata Steel. Thyssenkrupp has also announced that it was abandoning its plan to split into two separate entities. The operation aimed to satisfy its shareholders and simplify its profile in the markets; the group, whose share is more than 30% below its level of five years ago, manufactures elevators, submarines, car parts and steel coils.
The group will divest itself of its 'elevators' division, which will be listed on the stock exchange. The CEO said that while the company had a good tradition of avoiding compulsory redundancies, this time it would be difficult to avoid forced dismissals.
Eurofound (2019), Thyssenkrupp, Internal restructuring in World, factsheet number 97720, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/97720.