Bullying, cruel hazing and initiations took place, Aldi admits: Trainee staff at German discount supermarket chain Aldi were subjected to workplace bullying and cruel hazing rituals, the company has admitted after claims of abuse meted out to younger staff were made public in a book penned by Andreas Straub, a former manager at the company.

Aldi Sud admits one trainee was wrapped up in cling film for "being cheeky," and defaced with a permanent marker—an act sanctioned by supervisors at the one of the company's distribution centers. The victim also claims supervisors threatened to lock him inside a walk-in freezer if he mouthed off again.

German news website De Local says the book also alleges staff were bullied with rats, but available details are vague.

A former detective told German newsmagazine Der Spiegel that management at one store asked him to install miniature cameras in changing rooms to monitor employees. "I was tasked with reporting all irregularities," he said.

"So [I had to say something] if a member of staff was working too slowly, or if I heard about them having a relationship with another member of staff, or received other details from their private lives, for example their financial situations."

Aldi denies the spying.

The book's explosive allegations are set to be turned into a film about the German supermarket group, which has thousands of stores across Europe, Australia and the United States.
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