Paid to Stay Home: French woman sues telecom giant for 20 years of pay without work

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

Laurence Van Wassenhove, employed by France Telecom (now Orange), alleges that she has been paid her full salary for two decades without being assigned any work. Van Wassenhove, who has partial paralysis and epilepsy, started working for France Telecom in 1993. Initially, she held roles suited to her condition, such as secretary and human resources positions.

Request for Transfer and Subsequent Events

In 2002, Van Wassenhove requested a transfer to a different region within France. Her lawyers state that although her transfer request was approved, the new workspace was not adapted for her needs. Consequently, Orange allegedly stopped assigning her any tasks, leaving her without work but still receiving her full salary.

Claims of Harassment and Isolation

Van Wassenhove claims that being paid without work duties led to moral harassment and professional isolation. She argues that this situation resulted in a loss of professional purpose and severe depression. «Being paid, at home, not working is not a privilege. It's very hard to bear,» Van Wassenhove stated according to The Sun. Her lawyer, David Nabet-Martin, added that the isolation has led to depression.

Company's Response

Orange denies any misconduct, asserting that it considered Van Wassenhove's medical condition and explored options for her return to work in an adapted position. The company argues that her frequent sick leaves made implementing these options difficult.
«We took her medical