Former France Télécom execs on trial over staff suicides, court deems Uber driver an employee, and more top news

The news professionals in Europe are talking about now, curated by LinkedIn’s editors. Join the conversation on today's stories in the comments.

The former CEO of France Télécom and six executives have gone on trial over a spate of staff suicides between 2008 and 2009. Didier Lombard and the other members on trial are facing charges of moral harassment after the suicides of 35 employees were linked to tough restructuring measures. The company, renamed Orange in 2013, is also on trial. The wave of deaths sparked questions at the time about workplace culture at the telecom giant. ? Here’s what people are saying.

A Swiss court has ruled that a former Uber driver was an employee and not an independent contractor. The driver for UberPop — a version of the app operated by Dutch-based Uber subsidiary Rasier Operations — claimed he was wrongfully terminated without proper notice. In a potentially landmark ruling, the Lausanne court agreed he was unlawfully dismissed, countering Uber’s argument that he was a contractor. Meanwhile, Uber drivers in several cities across the world are preparing to strike on Wednesday ahead of the company’s planned IPO. ? Here’s what people are saying.

Ikea has opened a city-centre concept store in the heart of Paris. Four times smaller than a traditional Ikea, the store will offer cooking classes and furniture repair workshops, as well as host art exhibits. It marks a strategic shift for the Swedish brand known for its huge out-of-town premises. The company is also ramping up its online shopping business as part of a €400 million, three-year investment in France, its third-largest market after Germany and the US. ? Here’s what people are saying.

Boeing failed to reveal an issue with the 737 MAX’s alert system for 13 months, reports The Wall Street Journal. In a new statement, the plane manufacturer admits it knew there was a problem with the cockpit safety alert but maintains the software issue “did not adversely impact airplane safety or operation.” Industry experts say Boeing only disclosed some information after the fatal October Lion Air crash, and then waited six weeks following a second deadly incident before disclosing the issue to the public and the FAA. ? Here’s what people are saying.

The Channel Tunnel yesterday celebrated its 25th anniversary. The railway line connecting the UK to France has been used by almost 430 million passengers and 86 million vehicles since Queen Elizabeth II and then French president Fran?ois Mitterrand cut the ribbon on May 6, 1994. Centuries in the making, the tunnel has become “the most competitive method of transport for traded goods,” according to a report from EY, worth around €140 billion each year to the UK and European economies and facilitating 26% of trade between the two. ? Here’s what people are saying.

Idea of the day: Learning how to read a room is an important skill to master, says Anne Finucane, vice-chairman at Bank of America.

“[You] have to pay close attention to those around you. It sounds simple, but studying and connecting with others is an underrated skill.”

What's your take on today’s stories? Share your thoughts in the comments.

— Capucine Yeomans