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.
Matalan, the discount clothing chain is planning to cut hundreds of jobs at its head office and in stores as it fights the downturn in consumer confidence. The chain, which has 190 outlets and 17,000 staff, refused to say exactly how many workers will lose their jobs. Weekend speculation suggested there could be hundreds of redundancies. The review will cover the group's head office in Skelmersdale, Lancashire, and the chain's stores. The redundancy programme comes after a severe downturn in trade at the discount retailer. The most recent update on like-for-like sales showed a 9% fall in March and April 2005. It was accompanied by a warning that annual profits would be at the bottom end of expectations if the tough conditions continued. A spokeswoman for the company said it was starting a consultation with workers about the cuts, but that it was too early to say how many people might be affected. She said: ‘It is impossible to be specific until the consultation period is completed'.
Eurofound (2005), Matalan, Internal restructuring in United Kingdom, factsheet number 61734, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/61734.