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 Creative Club, a German online retailer specialising in fabrics and digital sewing patterns, has announced the loss of 170 jobs as part of its liquidation process. The redundancies affect staff at its headquarters in Schenefeld, near Hamburg, after the company halted operations on 11 February 2026.
The restructuring follows the company’s insolvency, which resulted from sustained financial losses and the main shareholders’ decision not to provide additional capital. Although The Creative Club generated strong sales, it remained unable to operate profitably, ultimately prompting the decision to wind down the business.
The shutdown was coordinated with the works council, and a social plan was agreed to support affected employees. Management and employee representatives worked together to organise the closure and address the associated social measures.
Founded in 2003 under the name fabfab, The Creative Club expanded into a global e‑commerce platform, shipping to 53 countries.
Eurofound (2026), The Creative Club, Bankruptcy in Germany, factsheet number 204261, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://apps.eurofound.europa.eu/restructuring-events/detail/204261.