What are the allegations against Lactalis regarding employee bonuses?

Lactalis is accused of misrepresenting its profits to underpay employees' profit bonuses.

How many employees are involved in the Lactalis bonus dispute?

Over 500 employees have filed a case, with potentially around 16,000 affected.

Did Lactalis recently pay a large tax settlement?

Yes, Lactalis reached a €475m settlement with French tax authorities late last year.

Home / Business and Economy / Lactalis Accused of Hiding Profits from Workers

Lactalis Accused of Hiding Profits from Workers

28 Nov, 2025

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Summary

Lactalis faces legal action over alleged profit misrepresentation.
Over 500 employees filed a case for underpaid profit bonuses.
Potential losses for 16,000 workers estimated in hundreds of millions.

Lactalis Accused of Hiding Profits from Workers

Privately-owned dairy giant Lactalis is embroiled in a legal dispute in France, where more than 500 employees have accused the company of misrepresenting its profits. These employees allege that this practice has led to significant underpayment of profit bonuses, potentially affecting up to 16,000 workers and resulting in losses of hundreds of millions of euros.

The affected staff, represented by lawyer Renaud Portejoie, are demanding increased transparency regarding Lactalis's financial disclosures and those of the Besnier family, which controls the company. Lactalis, while periodically disclosing financial accounts, has faced criticism for its past transparency. The company has acknowledged filing statutory accounts but disputes any link between its recent tax settlement and the profit-sharing allegations.