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.
Aluminium producer Hammerer Aluminium Industries (HAI), headquartered in Ranshofen, Austria, plans to cut 250 jobs across the company in 2024, including 100 positions in the Innviertel region.
This reduction comes as the company shifts from its initial plan to hire 100 new employees this year. The job cuts are attributed to a decline in demand, which began in the latter half of 2023, and are expected to continue until at least the second half of 2025.
The company, which saw a drop in revenue from €989 million in 2022 to €892 million last year, anticipates 2024 revenues between €830 and €860 million. Rob van Gils, CEO of HAI, highlighted ongoing investments, including €100 million in new facilities and a shift towards e-mobility, as part of the company's adaptation strategy.
Eurofound (2024), Hammerer Aluminium Industries (HAI), Internal restructuring in Austria, factsheet number 201488, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/201488.