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.
The Norwegian retail company, Vita, which specialises in selling cosmetics and toilet articles, will cut 400 jobs in 99 stores in Norway. The previous owner of Vita, Cosmetic Group, went bankrupt in October 2019. The new owner, Jotunfjell Partners, is determined to continue the operations of Vita and the downsizing is part of a strategic cut, according to the General Manager. The company has not announced an official redundancy plan yet and there is no reference to the trade union’s opinion on the matter, but the retail sector generally has a low trade union density. In Norway, Vita will continue its business in 132 stores, from previous 231.
Eurofound (2019), Vita, Merger/Acquisition in Norway, factsheet number 99019, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/99019.