By fypfeed | News | 8th August 2025
Woman Sues Employer The French woman filed a suit against her former employer, Orange Telecom, after claiming that she was paid for over two decades getting an income, but was never provided with meaningful work which she described as “forced inactivity” which left her feeling unimportant.
Although being paid without work might sound like a luxuriant situation for some, but in the case of Laurence van Wassenhove who is now 59 years old the experience turned into a long struggle that was marked by discrimination as well as depression and a struggle to be recognized. The case that she faced is leading to national debates in France regarding respect for the rights of disabled people in the workplace and corporate responsibility.
From Telecom Recruit to “Outcast Secretary”
Van Wassenhove joined the company in 1993 at a time when it was still referred to as France Telecom, then rebranded to Orange. In the beginning, she was in a position that was appropriate to her experience. However, her career took an unexpected turn after she was diagnosed with epilepsy and hemoplegia which results in paralysis on one side of your body.
In a position that she was not able to fulfill the job she had been assigned and was forced into an administrative position. The idea was to discover her job that she could be effective at. However, she claims it was the beginning of a period of professional stagnation.
“Very quickly, the position became meaningless,” she said to French media. “I had a title but I had no real responsibility. I was there, but I felt as if I wasn’t exist. .”
A Transfer Request That Changed Everything
The year 2002 Van Wassenhove asked for an assignment to a different part of France due to personal reasons. After an occupational health examination the doctors determined that she was not fit for the proposed job. Instead of looking for a different location, the company decided to place herself to reserve status.
From that point her situation got worse. Although she technically was an employee and earning her pay, she claims she was denied an active participation.
Her job description was one as the position of an “outcast secretary” — a person who had a contract but wasn’t included in the workplace.
Paid But Ignored
A lot of people outside the country might think about that being paid for a long time with no work as a financial reward. For Van Wassenhove however, it was a mental burden.
“Being paid and at home, working from home is not a luxury. It’s very difficult to accept,” she told Mediapart in an interview.
The monotony and lack of a purpose according to her, caused a huge impact on her mental well-being. In the absence of assignments or responsibilities she was stripped of her professional identity and respect. The lawyer she retained, David Nabet-Martin claims that she was exiled from the society.
“It is not simply about salary,” he added. “Work offers structure, respect and connections to other people. The idea of denying that, especially for those with disabilities is deeply damaging .”
Formal Complaints Ignored
2015, in 2015 following nearly a decade without action Van Wassenhove made an official complaint to each of the French government as well as the High Authority for the Fight against Discrimination (HALDE).
She has accused Orange for discriminatory actions, saying that her disability was used to justify the exclusion of her, rather than providing reasonable accommodations.
But she claims that nothing has had changed. Despite raising concerns via the official media, she says her day-to-day life was essentially the same. A paycheck without a purpose.
Depression, Disability, and Isolation
Van Wassenhove’s lawyer has emphasized the devastating effects of forced inactivity. In addition to her physical ailments she was also suffering in depression as well as feelings of profound loneliness.
“Laurence was living proof that being paid without working is not the dream people think it is,” Nabet-Martin claimed. “It is a form of professional death.”
Experts in the field of workplaces say that employment can be more than just earning money. It can also be an opportunity to build social connections as well as self-esteem and routine. Being unable to participate in everything is, according to them, likely to be detrimental, especially for those who already have long-term health issues.
Company Response
Orange responds to lawsuit denouncing any that it was guilty of. In a statement sent to French newspaper La Depeche, Orange said that it always took the woman’s “personal social situation” into consideration and tried its best to provide the right conditions, in line with her health.
The company also said it had provided her with opportunities to resume work in a new position but claimed these efforts failed due to her being frequently being placed on the medical leave.
Although Orange claims it was acting within the law, some critics claim that the company didn’t meet its obligation to provide an inclusive and meaningful experience for an employee.
“Forced Inactivity” as a Legal Concept
The case has brought attention to a small, yet significant legal problem: inactivity at work. According to French the law of employment businesses are required to provide employees with not just a salary but also with duties in accordance with their contracts.
Lawyers advise that long-term forced inactivity could be seen as a breach of contract, or even as a type of harassment in the workplace.
“This isn’t the first time French courts have considered inactivity as damaging,” explained the specialist in labor law Marie-Claire dubois. “Employees are entitled to work and not only to receive a salary. Salary alone isn’t enough to restore respectability .”
Disability and Workplace Inclusion
Van Wassenhove’s case raises more general questions regarding how businesses accept employees who have impairments.
French law obliges employers to make reasonable adjustments to employees with chronic health conditions. The opposition says Orange did not make the necessary adjustments rather than opting for what they believe is the most efficient option which is paying the employee to remain silent.
Disability rights advocates say this incident highlights the dangers of marginalizing workers instead of fully in integrating them into society.
Psychological Toll of Idleness
Psychologists have noted that prolonged idleness can cause severe emotional damage. Although unemployment is usually associated with depression, working in a job that is not fulfilling could be more jarring due to the fact that it creates isolation and the tension that financial security is stable.
“It produces a sense of being unwanted,” said clinical psychologist Dr. Amelie Bernard. “You work in a technical capacity, yet you don’t have a the motivation to do so. As time passes, this erodes your the sense of self-worth and mental wellbeing .”
Broader Implications
Van Wassenhove’s story is considered to be part of a larger debate in France concerning corporate accountability as well as the obligation to care for employees with disabilities.
Her case could be an example for how businesses deal with cases where employees are unable to be reinstated to their previous roles however they are legally employed.
Certain experts believe it could make employers more inclined to focus on changes to their job, training and programs for inclusion instead of relying on inactive payments.
A Personal Fight for Recognition
Van Wassenhove’s legal fight is more than just financial compensation. She would like to be acknowledged that what she went through was unjust and damaging.
“I was paid, yes, but I was treated like I didn’t exist,” she’s stated repeatedly. In her eyes, dignity can’t be restored through a pay check.
As the trial progresses it could require both the private and public sectors to face upsetting truths regarding how people with disabilities are treated, in addition to whether or not financial benefits will ever substitute for the inclusion of disabled people.
Conclusion
The lawsuit brought by Laurence Van Wassenhove against Orange Telecom is far more than a typical employment dispute. The case raises urgent questions about the nature of working, the worthiness of employees, as well as how modern businesses should assist workers who are disabled.
Although the outcomes of her case remain unclear however, one thing is for certain her story challenges the notion that getting paid with no work is a good thing. For her it was a lengthy difficult and traumatic journey that was with depression, rejection and a battle to be recognized.
As French judges are now weighing her assertions the case could be the benchmark for the way that businesses across Europe manage the delicate balance between pay as well as the purpose of work and the respect for the workplace.
