Germany: Lidl admits having very detailed files on its employees

Put into question by the Stern magazine, the discount store Lidl admitted that it draws up very detailed files on its employees, to "find professional offenses". Taken from videos filmed behind the staff's back, these files contain many private data, which conflicts with German law. (Ref. 080241)
Enjoy this article for free while you’re in your trial period
You have access to our content for 1 month.

The German discount store Lidl, already famous for slowing down the establishment of a works council in its subsidiaries (Ref. 06666), is faced with a new scandal concerning the way it deals with its staff. Relying on serious documents, the Stern daily (March 27, 2008) is accusing Lidl of spying on its employees. In possession of hundreds of pages of internal protocols concerning subsidiaries in Low-Saxony, Schleswig-Holstein, and North Rhine Westphalia, it tells how Lidl uses surveillance came

Do you have information to share with us?
What you absolutely must read this week
The essential content of the week selected by the editorial team.
See all
2026 TRENDS – CSR: A strategic asset for European companies?
mind HR is looking ahead at the trends set to shape 2026. Sustainability policy remains in flux after a year of CSR rollbacks across Europe. Companies are calling for greater predictability and...
26 February 2026
Germany: controversial collective bargaining compliance act adopted
On 26 February, the Bundestag approved the Tariftreuegesetz (collective bargaining compliance act), aimed at strengthening collective agreements and tackling social dumping by tying certain public...
26 February 2026
Spain: report proposes democratising employee participation
On 2 February, Spanish labour minister Yolanda Diaz presented the conclusions of a report on democracy in the workplace. The document, which calls for employees to be given a say in...
25 February 2026
United Kingdom: five consultations launched on Employment Rights Act
On 4, 5 and 6 February, the UK government launched new public consultations to clarify the terms and conditions for implementing certain provisions of the Employment Rights Act 2025, which is due...
25 February 2026
Most viewed articles of the month on mind HR
What readers clicked on the most last month.
What readers clicked on the most last month.
1
2026 TRENDS — Tackling skills shortages and mismatches
mind HR is analysing the trends that will shape 2026. Skills shortages have become a central challenge for businesses, reflecting deep-seated shifts in the labour market as roles evolve rapidly...
2
France: Medef publishes guide to support career transitions and retraining
France's largest employer federation Medef has provided its regional representatives with a practical guide designed to support career transitions and retraining. Structured around three key tools...
6 February 2026
3
France: LinkedIn reveals most sought-after HR skills
LinkedIn is revealing the most sought-after HR skills in 2026 in a study to be published on 24 February, which mind RH is previewing. Internal communication, training planning, occupational health...
4
EU: Commission wants to facilitate entry of international ‘talent’
In a recommendation published on 29 January, the European Commission calls on member states to take a series of measures to attract and retain international talent. It targets holders of skilled...
5
France: social partners’ conference on work, employment, and retirement sets out roadmap
Until the summer, French social partners from both the private and public sectors will hold talks on labour, employment and pensions, with the aim of developing shared positions to inform public...
6
Romania: government imposes strict controls on labour immigration
On 26 January, the Romanian government adopted an emergency ordinance tightening the rules on the recruitment of foreign workers. The measure introduces an official list of labour shortage...