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.
3M a multinational chemical company, known for the production of glues and other related products have announced significant dismissals within their facility in Zwijndrecht. In total it is estimated that 150-250 employees at the facility are at risk of losing their job (60-70% of the workforce). The main reasoning behind the plan are the recent scandals that have come to light at the facilty. Concretely, it has been responsible for PFAS pollution within the broader region for many years without efforts to highlight the issue to authorities or alleviate it. A part of the facility (glue production) will continue on, however it has already been announced that the factory will close in 2025.
Eurofound (2023), 3M, Internal restructuring in Belgium, factsheet number 108413, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/108413.