Employee Files Charges Against Company for Alleged Discrimination
EMPLOYEE – A disabled worker who got paid for 20 years doing nothing filed complaints against the company that employed her.
The employment fields vary among countries. Undeniably, abroad, there are a lot of work opportunities for disabled individuals. There are even situations when companies and employers weigh on the tasks based on the capabilities of the employee.
It might be a surprise to many people but an employee who was born in France got paid for 20 years doing nothing but ended up filing charges against her employer. She has her own reasons of filing complaints against the firm that she worked for.
Laurence Van Wassenhove was born in France with a disease, hemiplegic which is characterized by the loss of strength leading to paralysis. She partial p[aralysis in the face as well as in her hands and feet. She’s also epileptic.
Despite her condition, Laurence Van Wassenhove was able to finish her studies. She was recruited by the France Telecom in 1993 so she obtained a job. The company knew about her medical condition and she was given a work that is fit with her physical capabilities.
As an employee, she reportedly worked as a secretary. She also experienced working in the Human Resource Department. Based on the article, in May 2000, the France Telecom was acquired by the Orange PLC of London.
After 2 years since the transition, Laurence requested the company to move her to other regions in France. Her request was approved but she was found allegedly unfit for the new position that was given to her. Since 2004, she was not given any task.
Despite having no tasks to do, the employee received her full salary for the next 20 years. This happened despite her request to give her some tasks to do and she formally made a request on it in 2015.
Laurence has no workspace, no tasks, no professional emails, and was not required to attend any meeting. Based on the article, the Orange tasked a mediator over the issue but it was not resolved.
The employee seek legal aid and filed a complaint to the government over the treatment of the company. Based on the article, her complaint also reached the High Authority for the Fight against Discrimination.
Me David Nabet-Martin, the lawyer of Laurence, stressed that his client was not given any task so she fould be forced to leave her job.
“They prefer to pay her more than her work… Work for a person with a disability means having a place in society, recognition, social bonds that are created,“ the lawyer said.
In the defense of the company, it explained that it had planned for a “return to work in adapted positions” but it was not materialized as she was also always in sick leave. They also considered the occupational medicine report that she is not fit to work so she was not given any task.