A French woman has taken legal action against her employer, telecom giant Orange, for not assigning her any work for two decades while continuing to pay her full salary. Laurence Van Wassenhove, who has physical disabilities, alleges that the company engaged in harassment and discrimination due to her health conditions.
Laurence Van Wassenhove began her career with France Telecom in 1993, a company that was later acquired by Orange. From the outset, her employers were aware of her health challenges, including epilepsy and partial paralysis. These conditions necessitated specific job accommodations.
Initially, Wassenhove found suitable roles at France Telecom, working as a secretary and in human resources. However, her situation changed dramatically in 2002 when she requested a transfer to another region in France. Following this request, Orange allegedly did not adjust her role to suit her needs. Instead, they continued to pay her full salary but assigned her no work tasks.
Wassenhove contends that Orange’s actions were a deliberate attempt to compel her to leave the company without being formally dismissed. “While some might see being paid to do nothing as a luxury, it is very hard to bear,” she told The Sun.
In 2015, Wassenhove filed a complaint with the authorities, accusing Orange of discrimination. This led to the appointment of a mediator to resolve the issue. Despite this intervention, Wassenhove claims her situation remained unchanged.
David Nabet-Martin, Wassenhove’s lawyer, highlighted the severe emotional toll this long period of professional isolation had on her. He stated that the lack of engagement and purpose led to her suffering from depression.
Orange has defended its actions, asserting that it made extensive efforts to ensure Wassenhove worked under optimal conditions. The company claimed it considered her “personal social situation” and developed a policy to facilitate her return to work in an adapted role. However, Orange pointed out that frequent sick leave on Wassenhove’s part impeded the implementation of these plans.
The lawsuit, which has drawn significant attention, raises critical questions about employer responsibilities toward disabled employees and the fine line between providing necessary accommodations and potential neglect. As the case unfolds, it will likely set an important precedent for workplace treatment of disabled individuals in France and beyond.
