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.
Two months after its placement in receivership, the Commercial Court of Saint-Etienne has decided the liquidation of Laurent Père & Fils, a company specialised in distribution of automotive parts and accessories. The court rejected three takeover bids, considering that they did not meet the legal requirements for maintaining employment, discharging liabilities and ensuring the viability of the operation. The court ordered the judicial liquidation of this company, which constituted the historical activities of the family group created in 1937 by the grandfather of the current directors. The last 130 employees, out of the 155 employees at the start of the receivership procedure will therefore be laid off. Last year, the company achieved a turnover of €40 million.
Eurofound (2019), Laurent Père et Fils, Bankruptcy in France, factsheet number 99386, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/99386.