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.
Ikea, a multinational furniture and household items retailer has announced restructuring measures in several countries including Belgium. In total between 100 and 120 jobs are at risk. The company's global restructuring plan envisages some 7,500 job losses. The company plans to invest more in the stores themselves as well as the logistic centres and in particular their e-commerce activities. Most of the jobs at risk are white collar jobs at the company HQ in Zaventem and different HR services.
The national company management has announced it will communicate in an open and transparent way towards their employees and will start negotiating with the unions soon regarding job losses. In this way they will seek to reduce the impact of the reforms and reduce job losses. Federal minister of Work Kris Peeters has emphasized the importance of the negotiations and has indicated he will follow the case personally. Ikea employs some 3,500 people in Belgium.
Eurofound (2018), Ikea, Internal restructuring in Belgium, factsheet number 95849, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/95849.