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.
Czech producer of tyres Continental Barum has invested CZK 4.4 billion (EUR 16.257 million) in a new lorry tyres production hall which will result in a total of 300 new jobs. The construction was completed in 2015, but officially will be opened on 11 October 2016. For its trial operation, the company has already hired 250 people with another 50 to be employed by the end of 2016.
Continental Barum is part of German Continental and before the recruitment of the new staff the company employed about 4,500 people.
Continental Barum increased its revenues by 3.5 % to CZK 57.7 billion (EUR 21.320 million).
Barum is one of the largest employers in the Zlin region and won the title of 'Employer of the Year'.
As the unemployment rate in the region is decreasing, the company is lacking qualified staff. They need skilled workers in the maintenance, mechanical engineers, mechanics and electricians. For this reason the company is cooperating with schools and offering scholarships.
Eurofound (2016), Continental Barum, Business expansion in Czechia, factsheet number 87890, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/87890.