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.
The American clothing retail chain Forever 21 has announced that it will close its flagship store in Amsterdam by the end of January 2018, resulting in the loss of more than 100 jobs. It is speculated that the closure may have something to do with the high rental fees for the property, but the general manager has stated that closing the store is part of a larger strategic plan. He has promised to make an effort to find new jobs for all employees that are losing their positions.
Forever 21 is a family-owned clothing retailer with over 800 stores worldwide across 57 countries in North America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, employing over 35,000 workers.
Eurofound (2018), Forever 21, Closure in Netherlands, factsheet number 92998, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/92998.