A French woman employed by the country’s largest telecommunications company, Orange, has filed a lawsuit against the company, claiming moral harassment and discrimination. Despite being paid a salary by the company for 20 years, she was not required to do any work.
Laurence Van Wassenhove, the woman in question, entered the telecommunications company – then known as France Télécom – in 1993 as a civil servant, but due to health reasons, was assigned a secretary position in the human resources department. She suffers from epilepsy and partial paralysis, with one of her two children having autism.
In 2002, after Orange took over France Télécom, Van Wassenhove applied for a transfer to another department, sparking a 20-year labor dispute. Workplace medical reports from Orange confirmed that her position was unsuitable for a disabled person like her, yet the company continued to pay her full salary without requiring her to work.
Describing herself as a “discarded secretary,” Van Wassenhove claimed the company was forcing her to resign. Despite complaints to the government and anti-discrimination authorities, including the appointment of a mediator by Orange to address the issue, the situation did not improve.
Feeling like she was wasting her time at home receiving a salary without working, Van Wassenhove expressed her frustration. Her lawyer noted that due to her harsh and isolated environment, she suffers from depression.
The lawyer mentioned that Orange preferred to pay her salary rather than ask her to work, leading to allegations of moral harassment and discrimination related to her health condition. As a result, she sued the company and four executives.
“For disabled individuals, work means having a place in society, gaining recognition, and building social relationships,” the lawyer said.
In a statement provided to the French newspaper La Dépêche, Orange stated that they had made every effort to ensure Van Wassenhove’s best working conditions, considering her “personal social situation.” They also planned for her to return to work in a suitable position, but this never materialized due to her frequent sick leaves.
A few years ago, a French man sued his boss for having a job that was too boring, claiming it made him “sick.” He demanded €360,000 (approximately $415,000) in compensation, citing severe psychological and physical harm caused by the tedious nature of his work.