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.
Online retailer Shop Direct has announced plans to close down its Littlewoods Clearance brand. As a result, 143 permanent employees and six agency workers will be made redundant. The business sells unsold stock from Shop Direct's retail brands across seven stores in the UK, which operate under different names. The plans will affect the seven stores as well as a headquarters and a distribution centre. The business is reportedly losing money, which has prompted this decision. The proposals will be subject to consultation with the recognised trade union Usdaw, though it is being reported that the business is expected to close by the end of February 2019.
Eurofound (2018), Littlewoods Clearance, Closure in United Kingdom, factsheet number 95807, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/95807.