French woman sues employer after being paid to do nothing for 20 years, and still got salary

French woman sues employer: What might sound like a dream job to some became a long, painful ordeal for one French woman, and now, she’s taking her employer to court, as per a report.

Dream Job or Silent Struggle?

Laurence Van Wassenhove is suing French telecommunications giant Orange, claiming that for two decades she was paid a full salary but given no work to do, according to a News 24 report. She shared that, “Being paid, at home, not working is not a privilege. It’s very hard to bear," as quoted in the report.

A Promising Career Derailed by Health Challenges

The 59-year-old trained human resources specialist, began working at France Telecom in 1993, but after being diagnosed with epilepsy and hemiplegia, a form of partial paralysis affecting one side of the body, she was offered a secretarial role instead, as per the News 24 report. The company adapted its workplace to accommodate her condition, according to the report.


ALSO READ: Blow to Trump’s hopes as he won't like this: Fed's Daly says rate cut unlikely next

Company Takeover Leaves An Employee in Professional Limbo

However, things changed in 2002 when France Telecom was taken over by Orange, as reported by News 24. After a request to transfer to a different regional office, an occupational health assessment in 2004 found her unfit for the new role and she was placed on standby, as per the report. From then on, she alleged that the company just stopped giving her any work, leaving her in career limbo, reported News 24.

The Hidden Cost of Doing Nothing: Mental Health Impact

Despite receiving her salary every month, Van Wassenhove alleges she was told to stay home and was given no tasks, no desk, and no contact with colleagues for over 10 years, which left her feeling isolated, according to the report. She said that, “I was paid, yes,” she said, “but I was treated like I didn’t exist,” as quoted by News 24.

The emotional impact was devastating. Isolated and without a purpose, the mother of two says the years of forced inactivity left her battling severe depression, as per the report.

In 2015, after more than a decade of silence from her employer, Van Wassenhove filed complaints with French anti-discrimination authorities, hoping for mediation, but nothing changed, as reported by News 24.

ALSO READ: Stranded by the Air Canada strike? Here’s what passengers must know about refunds and rights

A Legal Fight for Recognition

Now, she’s suing Orange, as her lawyer, David Nabet-Martin, said that Laurence has been a victim of discrimination since 2004, alleging that Orange has been trying to coerce her into quitting her job, according to the report. He said, “Work, for a person with a disability, means having a place in society. Recognition. Social connections that are created,” as quoted by News 24.

Orange Denies Wrongdoing

Orange disputes her claims, arguing it made every effort to accommodate her condition and that a return to work had been planned, but was repeatedly delayed due to her medical leave, according to the report.

FAQs

Who is Laurence Van Wassenhove?
She’s a 59-year-old French woman who worked at France Telecom (later Orange) and is now suing her employer for not giving her work for 20 years, as per the News 24 report.

How did the inactivity affect her?
Laurence says the lack of work made her feel isolated and invisible, leading to severe depression.