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.
Hartmann-Rico, a producer of sanitary goods, has announced the closure of its plant in Most with the loss of 249 jobs by the end of 2008 due to the global financial crisis. The company has also announced that production will be moved to China. The redundant workers will be given an extra severance pay (equivalent to one or two wages) in addition to the three statutory monthly wages and offered the opportunity to work in one of the other three plants in the Czech Republic. Hartmann-Rico is part of the Germany-based Hartmann Group and employs over 9,100 people in 34 countries.
Eurofound (2008), Hartmann-Rico, Offshoring/Delocalisation in Czechia, factsheet number 67495, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/67495.