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.
Supermarket company Tesco has announced plans to close one of its two UK contact centres with the loss of 1,100 jobs. Work will stop at the company's site in Cardiff in February 2018, and its calls will be handled from the firm's other centre in Dundee. Some affected staff may be offered the opportunity to relocate to the Dundee operations, though given the distances involved, few would be expected to take up this offer.
Tesco has stated that the decision is based on the need to stay competitive and to meet customer needs. Unions and politicians have reacted with surprise to the announcement and have warned about the impact of such major losses on the local economy. Consultation talks are due to begin between Tesco and employee representatives from the USDAW trade union.
Eurofound (2017), Tesco, Closure in United Kingdom, factsheet number 91327, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/91327.