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.
German Solar panel manufacturer SMA Solar intends to cut another 300 jobs at its site in Niestal.
SMA Solar announced to start with the job reduction programme at the beginning of 2026 and complete it by the end of the same year. Whilst the restructuring programme is meant to save € 100 million annually, negotiations with employee representatives still need to be conducted. As the demand for solar panels in German private homes is still to low and foreign competition in the market is strong, SMA Solar decided to restructure its Home & Business Solutions division.
The job cuts are part of a worldwide restructuring which aims to cut a total of 350 positions worldwide.
Already in 2024, the company had announced a job reduction scheme affecting some 400 jobs in Germany SMA Solar Technology 2024 - DE and some 700 jobs worldwide SMA Solar Technology 2024 - WO.
Eurofound (2025), SMA Solar, Internal restructuring in Germany, factsheet number 203436, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://apps.eurofound.europa.eu/restructuring-events/detail/203436.