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Ikea: Four executives sacked over store spying

IKEA has sacked four executives, including a country manager and head of security, after an internal probe into spying on workers at its French operations.

In March, police searched the French HQ of the Swedish furniture group at Plaisir, in the west of Paris, after employees complained about spying. Ikea launched an inquiry with the help of independent advisors.

“There have unfortunately within the Ikea group existed work practices contrary to the company’s values and ethical standards,” it said in a statement.

“As a result of this, a former country manager, a former human resources manager, a former chief financial officer and the current head of security will leave their positions and the Ijea group.”

Satirical weekly Le Canard Enchaine published in February e-mails allegedly exchanged between Ikea bosses in France and a private security company.

The paper said they showed Ikea had sought information from police files on numerous people including a union leader and a client in dispute with it.