Dream Salary or Nightmare? French Woman Sues After Being Paid for 20 Years… Without a Job
Paris — Imagine receiving a full paycheck month after month, year after year—for nothing. That was the reality for Laurence Van Wassenhove, a former employee of telecom giant Orange. Now, she’s suing—not for money, but for acknowledgement, dignity, and an end to corporate neglect.
A Career Sidetracked by Disability
Van Wassenhove joined France Télécom (later Orange) in 1993, initially taking on secretarial and HR duties. Despite her health challenges—epilepsy and hemiplegia—she was accommodated. Her professional life changed dramatically in 2002 after she requested a regional transfer. The new role was ill-suited to her needs, and no further adjustments were made. Orange continued paying her full salary but stopped giving her work assignments. HR KathaSouth China Morning Post
Isolation in Plain Sight
Deprived of tasks, an office, or colleagues, Van Wassenhove described herself as a “discarded employee.” She characterizes being paid to do nothing for two decades as a form of moral harassment—not a blessing. The emotional cost was high: “Being paid, at home, not working is not a privilege. It’s very hard to bear,” she told the press. VocalThe Global Filipino MagazineThe Sun
Health, Family, and Financial Strain
A single mother of two—one autistic—she still faced eviction threats and financial worry, despite her income. Endless sick leaves, a stagnant role, and lack of workplace reintegration contributed to chronic depression and a sense of social erasure. The SunMarket Realist
Orange Responds
The company defends its actions: it says it offered accommodations and planned adapted return-to-work strategies—but Van Wassenhove’s recurring medical absences stalled any meaningful reintegration. pubity.comThe Global Filipino Magazine
Filing the Lawsuit
In 2015, she filed a formal complaint with France’s anti-discrimination authority, prompting a mediation attempt that brought little change. In 2024, at last, she escalated matters by suing Orange for harassment and discrimination. Her objective? Recognition for the emotional and social toll—far more than any financial award could symbolize. HR KathaChanneliam / Channel I’M EnglishFirstpost
Broader Corporate Context
Orange isn’t new to workplace controversies. From 2006–2009, France Télécom faced national outrage over employee suicides, leading to convictions for “institutional harassment.” This case highlights that even when tragic headlines fade, systemic failures can continue—quietly. Wikipedia
Why Her Fight Matters
This story isn’t about a woman being paid to do nothing—it’s about denying inclusion to someone because of disability. It raises urgent questions: Should employers be allowed to sideline disabled staff? What responsibility does society have to ensure every worker keeps their place in the workplace and community?
Laurence is seeking not just legal justice, but the reinstatement of her voice. Her case may become a landmark in how workplaces accommodate—and respect—those with disabilities.
