The French branch of the Ingka Group, which owns most IKEA stores worldwide, has been accused of spying on its employees and even some customers for several years.
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The world’s furniture manufacturer has acknowledged that there have been some unfair practices in the past. He therefore heard allegations before a French court on Tuesday about breaches of employees’ privacy, among other things because of looking at their bank account records and even using “herons”, ie fake employees to compile personnel reports.
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Employees’ representatives said that IKEA had used this information in some cases to attack union members or in disputes with customers. According to Reuters, the company went through data on the financial situation of its employees and, for example, found out what cars they drive. The court also found that she had paid for access to police files.
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Prosecutors demanded a fine of two million euros. Lawyers from the French trade union CGT and several individuals seeking compensation said that while the final amount was not high, they welcomed the outcome of the proceedings. “It’s a symbolism,” said Solene Debarre, a lawyer representing the CGT.
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Jean-Louis Baillot, a former CEO of the company in France, was charged with the case. He received a two-year suspended sentence and judges fined him 50,000 euros for unauthorized collection of personal data.
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The charges involved a total of 15 people for the offenses between 2009 and 2012, although prosecutors said the company had been using espionage tactics since early 2000.
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Two of the accused were found not guilty on all counts, including one police officer and Stefan Vanoverbeke, who led IKEA in France from 2010 to 2015 and who still holds a high position in the group’s retail activities.
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From fines to conditions
Others have been acquitted of only some charges, such as the systematic disclosure of confidential information, but have not been punished in other cases, including the illegal collection of personal data. Sanctions ranged from a fine of five thousand euros for a former HR manager to several suspended sentences of imprisonment.
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IKEA said it was reviewing the court’s decision to see if further action was needed. In the meantime, however, she said, she had already taken steps to stop and prevent employee monitoring immediately.
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“IKEA Retail France strongly condemned these practices, apologized and implemented an extensive action plan so that it would not happen again,” the Ingka group said in a statement. France’s IKEA is its third largest market after Germany and the United States. It employs about 10,000 people.
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