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In The Lawsuit Against The Company, Frenchwoman Laurence Van Wassenhove Accuses The Telecommunications Giant Of Moral Harassment And Discrimination For Keeping Her Jobless, Despite Her Disability Status.
A French woman has filed a lawsuit against the telecommunications giant Orange, alleging that she suffered “moral harassment and workplace discrimination.”
Laurence Van Wassenhove claims that the company kept her without any tasks for two decades, even while paying her full salary.
Hired With Specific Conditions
Van Wassenhove joined France Telecom in 1993, before the company was acquired by Orange.
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From the start, her employers were aware of her hemiplegia – a partial paralysis of the face and limbs – and her epilepsy condition.
Due to these conditions, she received a position adapted to her medical needs, working as a secretary and in the human resources department.
In 2002, Van Wassenhove requested a transfer to another region of France. Although the request was approved, the new workplace did not provide suitable conditions for her health situation.
An occupational health report confirmed the inadequacy of the position, but, according to the accusation, Orange did not take action to adapt the environment.
Payment Without Assignments
Since then, Laurence has received her full salary, but without any work tasks. The employee’s lawyer claims that the company preferred to maintain payment without assignments as a way to pressure her to leave the position voluntarily.
Van Wassenhove attempted to reverse the situation by reporting the case to government authorities and the High Authority for the Fight Against Discrimination. In 2015, Orange appointed a mediator to try to resolve the deadlock, but the situation remained unchanged. The employee continued receiving without working.
According to her legal representatives, the lack of professional activities deprived Van Wassenhove of more than just employment: it affected her right to feel integrated into society and denied her recognition and social relationships.
Company’s Response To The Lawsuit
In response to the newspaper La Dépêche, Orange stated that it has always sought to provide the best possible conditions for Van Wassenhove.
The company declared that it took her social situation into account and guaranteed full payment, in addition to offering additional financial aids.
It also mentioned that there were plans to reintegrate her into adapted functions, but this did not materialize due to frequent medical leave.
The lawsuit filed by Van Wassenhove accuses Orange and four of its managers of moral harassment and discrimination based on her health condition. The case highlights the challenges faced by workers with disabilities in large corporations.
So far, there is no public information or recent updates regarding the lawsuit filed by Laurence Van Wassenhove against Orange. The latest available news dates back to June and July 2024.
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