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 Sofama group, which employs 900 people, has announced the hiring of 180 leather goods manufacturers on fixed-term and/or permanent contracts for its three sites in Feurs (Loire), Yssingeaux (Haute-Loire) and Espinasse-Vozelle (Allier). Recruitment is open without condition of diploma or experience. According to the Human Resources Director, Sofama provides full training to new hires. The group has had its own training organization since 2017 and offers training that lasts two and a half months, spread over the different plants. In total, new recruits receive 400 hours of training, which will be given by leather workers from Sofama's workshops. New recruits will be offered a 6-month fixed-term contract, which can be converted into a permanent contract. A previous recruitment was recorded in 2017 (300 job creations).
Eurofound (2020), Sofama, Business expansion in France, factsheet number 99753, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/99753.