In a groundbreaking legal case unfolding in France, Laurence Van Wassenhove, a disabled woman, is taking her former employer, a prominent telecom company, to court for alleged discrimination and harassment. Van Wassenhove claims that for over two decades, despite receiving her full salary, she was deliberately kept without any assigned work—a situation she believes was aimed at pressuring her to quit without formal termination.
Van Wassenhove began her career with the company, then known as France Telecom, in 1993. Due to partial paralysis, she initially worked in roles such as secretary and in human resources, which accommodated her physical limitations. However, in 2002, seeking a transfer within the company, her situation dramatically changed. She asserts that upon being transferred, she was effectively sidelined, not given any tasks, yet continued to receive her salary.
In her legal filings, Van Wassenhove describes feeling isolated and depressed by the situation, despite her efforts to address it. She contends that the company’s actions were not out of kindness but rather a calculated strategy to coerce her into leaving on her own accord.
In response, the company argues that their decision to pay Van Wassenhove without assigning work was based on her health condition and frequent illnesses, which they deemed prevented her from fulfilling assigned tasks. They maintain that their actions were appropriate given her personal circumstances.
The case has drawn significant attention as it raises critical questions about workplace accommodations for individuals with disabilities and the boundaries of employer responsibilities in such cases. It also underscores broader issues of discrimination and the treatment of disabled employees within corporate environments.
As the legal proceedings continue, Van Wassenhove’s case is poised to set important precedents regarding disability rights and workplace equality in France.
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