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 FORTE furniture factory, located in Ostrów Mazowiecka, has started a process of group layoffs, leading to the termination of contracts with up to 230 employees (10% of the company's workforce). Due to a substantial decline in demand for furniture, the company faced a deteriorating financial situation, resulting in the need to take measures to improve operational and cost efficiency. The restructuring aims at adjusting the level of employment costs to the current financial and market situation. The layoffs are expected to be completed by January 31, 2024, with the process starting on the 3rd of November. Fabryki Mebli FORTE S.A. is a company based in Ostrów Mazowiecka, producing furniture since 1992. Since 1996 the company has been listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange. The company is one of the leaders in the furniture industry in Poland, as well as the largest exporter of Polish furniture.
Eurofound (2023), Fabryka Mebli FORTE, Internal restructuring in Poland, factsheet number 200505, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/200505.