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.
Bathstore, the retailer of bathroom fixtures and fittings has entered administration. Eighty-nine jobs have been cut at the retailer's head office in Welwyn Garden City, and a further 531 jobs across the chain's 135 stores may also be lost. Sub-contractors engaged to fit bathrooms have been ordered by the administrators not to complete any ongoing work. The stores will continue to trade however, while efforts continue to be made to sell the business. The collapse of Bathstore is being seen as another example of the troubles of the UK high street.
UPDATE 22/07/2019: It has been reported that DIY chain Homebase has taken over Bathstore's website and 44 of its stores. The move is said to have protected a total of 175 jobs. Reports also suggest that the initial job loss figure of 89 has been revised upwards to 159. The future of the remaining 91 stores remains unclear.
Eurofound (2019), Bathstore, Bankruptcy in United Kingdom, factsheet number 98115, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/98115.