The French branch of Swedish retailing giant Ikea went on trial yesterday, reports France24. It is accused of running an elaborate system to spy on staff and job applicants using private detectives and police officers. French investigative publications Le Canard Enchaine and Mediapart uncovered the surveillance scheme in 2012, and prosecutors got on the case after the Force Ouvriere (Workers’ Force) union lodged a legal complaint. Prosecutors say Ikea France set up a "spying system" across its national operations, collecting information about the private lives of hundreds of staff and prospective staff, including confidential information about criminal records. Since the media revelations broke, the company has sacked four executives, but Ikea France, which employs 10,000 people, still faces a fine of up to €3.75 million.

Emmanuel Daoud, a lawyer for Ikea France, acknowledged that the case had revealed "organisational weaknesses" at Ikea France. He said it had since implemented an action plan, including a complete revamp of hiring procedures. "Whatever the court rules, the company has already been punished very severely in terms of its reputation," Daoud said.