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.
Universitetssykehuset Nord-Norge (UNN) announced in December that it is to cut 200-300 full-time jobs due to deficits and demands for cost cuts. In the Board meeting 6th of February 2008 this number was reduced to 130.
Universitetssykehuset Nord-Norge (UNN) - University Hospital of Northern Norway Trust - is part of the state owned Helse Nord (Northern Norway Regional Health Authority). The trust consists of hospitals and local psychiatric services in Troms county.
UNN’s deficit for 2007 is expected to be 160 million NOK. To achieve budget balance before 2009 the Board decided in the meeting February 08 to cut 60 million NOK in addition to already decided cuts of 100-120 million NOK for 2007.
The Board is frustrated by the financial constraints. The hospital will have increased expenditures as a consequence of orders from the Regional Health Authority, as well as reduced income. One of the employee representatives said to the media after the Board meeting in December 2007 that it is impossible to reduce the workforce with up to 300 full-time equivalent persons, and at the same time expect the same activity and income as today. In January 2008 at the Board meeting the 4 employee representatives voted against all cuts as a protest against the consequences for both patients and employees.
Nothing exact is said about how the workforce reduction will be done, but dismissals are not anticipated because of a large turnover, according to a statement from a manager to the press in December. After the Board meeting in January, the manager of UNN says to the media that reorganisations will mean that only a few has to leave involuntarily.
Eurofound (2007), Universitetssykehuset Nord-Norge (UNN), Internal restructuring in Norway, factsheet number 66144, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/66144.