Latest news with #VanWassenhove
Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Wait, what? Woman gets paid for doing nothing for 20 years, she sues her employer for it-- Here's why
Representative image Sometimes real life seems stranger than fiction, and this particular incident seems so! At a time when the need for work-life balance, and most employees feeling burnt out has become a matter of great discussion, news is that a woman has now sued her company for paying her to do nothing. Yes, you read that right! What might sound like a dream situation for many— getting paid without doing any work — has turned into a nightmare for 59-year-old woman named Laurence Van Wassenhove. She is taking Orange, one of Europe's largest telecom companies, to court, claiming that the company left her in professional limbo for more than 20 years-- by giving her full salary, but no tasks, no responsibilities, and almost no human interaction. Speaking to French broadcaster FTV, Van Wassenhove described her situation as 'forced inactivity' that made her feel invisible at work. From being a valued employee to being isolated at work Van Wassenhove joined Orange in 1993, when it was still France Télécom. After developing epilepsy and hemiplegia — partial paralysis on one side of her body — she moved from her original role to a secretarial position, drawing on her HR background. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Premium 2 & 3 BHK Apartments in Whitefield | Starts at ₹81.42 Lacs* | No Pre EMI till Possession Sowparnika Euphoria In The East Learn More Undo But in 2002, everything stalled. Hoping to transfer to another region, she was declared unfit for the proposed role by an occupational health review. Instead of finding her an alternative, the company placed her on 'standby.' This was the start of a 20-year period of professional exile. 'I was paid, yes — But treated like I didn't exist' Despite receiving her salary, Van Wassenhove told Mediapart she faced financial difficulties, eviction threats, and severe mental health struggles while raising her autistic child. The lack of purpose and social connection drove her into deep depression, she said. Her lawyer, David Nabet-Martin, argues that Orange's inaction robbed her of 'having a place in society' as a disabled person, inflicting lasting psychological harm. How her employer responded Orange told La Dépêche it had taken her 'personal social situation' into account and offered the 'best possible conditions' during her absence from active work. The company says it explored ways to reintegrate her, but frequent sick leave prevented progress. A long fight for recognition at the workplace V an Wassenhove began formally raising the issue in 2015 with the government and the High Authority for the Fight Against Discrimination. She claims little changed, and eventually early retirement was suggested — something she saw as yet another push out of the workforce. Her case highlights the darker side of prolonged inactivity, challenging the assumption that doing nothing for pay is a luxury. As she takes her fight to court, it could ignite new debates about disability rights, workplace inclusion, and the real meaning of 'having a job.' What are your views on this particular incident? Tell us about it in the comments section below. Ask the expert: "I feel I am in an abusive marriage, a relationship I fought for with my parents." Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Happy Independence Day wishes, messages , and quotes !
Time of India
4 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Woman sues employer after 20 years of being paid to do absolutely nothing
From valued hire to workplace exile 'I was paid, yes, but I was treated like I didn't exist' You Might Also Like: Employer forced engineer to attend off-shift online training sessions; he sued for overtime pay and won Company response and ongoing battle In a case that flips the fantasy of 'getting paid to do nothing' on its head, 59-year-old Laurence Van Wassenhove is taking one of Europe's biggest telecom companies, Orange , to court. She alleges that the company left her in a professional void for more than 20 years — full salary intact but with no tasks, no responsibilities, and virtually no human to French outlet FTV, Van Wassenhove described her experience as 'forced inactivity' that left her 'invisible' in the Wassenhove joined Orange in 1993, when it was still France Télécom. After developing epilepsy and hemiplegia — partial paralysis on one side of the body — she was reassigned from her original role to a secretarial position, making use of her HR her career stalled in 2002 when she sought a transfer to another region. An occupational health review deemed her unfit for the proposed post, and she was instead placed on 'standby,' marking the beginning of her decades-long professional limbo Despite her steady income, Van Wassenhove told Mediapart she faced financial struggles, eviction notices, and worsening mental health while caring for her autistic child. The isolation, she says, eroded her sense of purpose and left her battling severe lawyer, David Nabet-Martin, argues that Orange's inaction deprived her of 'having a place in society' as a disabled person, causing long-term psychological speaking to French outlet La Dépêche, insisted it considered Van Wassenhove's 'personal social situation' and maintained the 'best possible conditions' during her absence from active work. The company also claimed it had explored reintegrating her into a new role, though repeated sick leave meant it never Wassenhove first raised her concerns formally in 2015 with both the government and the High Authority for the Fight against Discrimination, but she claims little has changed. Early retirement was eventually suggested due to her disability — a prospect she saw as yet another push out of the working the idea of collecting a paycheck without lifting a finger might sound like the ultimate workplace perk, Van Wassenhove's case paints a more complicated picture — one where prolonged inactivity can be just as damaging as she takes her fight to court, the outcome could spark new conversations about the intersection of disability, workplace inclusion, and what it truly means to 'have a job.'
Economic Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Economic Times
French woman sues employer after being paid to do nothing for 20 years, and still got salary
French woman sues employer: Laurence Van Wassenhove is suing telecommunications giant Orange, alleging she was paid for two decades without being given any work. After a promising start at France Telecom in 1993, health challenges led to a secretarial role. Following Orange's takeover, she was placed on standby in 2004 and subsequently given no tasks, leading to isolation and depression. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Dream Job or Silent Struggle? A Promising Career Derailed by Health Challenges Company Takeover Leaves An Employee in Professional Limbo Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads The Hidden Cost of Doing Nothing: Mental Health Impact A Legal Fight for Recognition Orange Denies Wrongdoing FAQs What might sound like a dream job to some became a long, painful ordeal for one French woman, and now, she's taking her employer to court, as per a report. Laurence Van Wassenhove is suing French telecommunications giant Orange , claiming that for two decades she was paid a full salary but given no work to do, according to a News 24 report. She shared that, 'Being paid, at home, not working is not a privilege. It's very hard to bear," as quoted in the 59-year-old trained human resources specialist, began working at France Telecom in 1993, but after being diagnosed with epilepsy and hemiplegia, a form of partial paralysis affecting one side of the body, she was offered a secretarial role instead, as per the News 24 report. The company adapted its workplace to accommodate her condition, according to the READ: Blow to Trump's hopes as he won't like this: Fed's Daly says rate cut unlikely next However, things changed in 2002 when France Telecom was taken over by Orange, as reported by News 24. After a request to transfer to a different regional office, an occupational health assessment in 2004 found her unfit for the new role and she was placed on standby, as per the report. From then on, she alleged that the company just stopped giving her any work, leaving her in career limbo, reported News receiving her salary every month, Van Wassenhove alleges she was told to stay home and was given no tasks, no desk, and no contact with colleagues for over 10 years, which left her feeling isolated, according to the report. She said that, 'I was paid, yes,' she said, 'but I was treated like I didn't exist,' as quoted by News emotional impact was devastating. Isolated and without a purpose, the mother of two says the years of forced inactivity left her battling severe depression, as per the 2015, after more than a decade of silence from her employer, Van Wassenhove filed complaints with French anti-discrimination authorities, hoping for mediation, but nothing changed, as reported by News READ: Stranded by the Air Canada strike? Here's what passengers must know about refunds and rights Now, she's suing Orange, as her lawyer, David Nabet-Martin, said that Laurence has been a victim of discrimination since 2004, alleging that Orange has been trying to coerce her into quitting her job, according to the report. He said, 'Work, for a person with a disability, means having a place in society. Recognition. Social connections that are created,' as quoted by News disputes her claims, arguing it made every effort to accommodate her condition and that a return to work had been planned, but was repeatedly delayed due to her medical leave, according to the a 59-year-old French woman who worked at France Telecom (later Orange) and is now suing her employer for not giving her work for 20 years, as per the News 24 says the lack of work made her feel isolated and invisible, leading to severe depression.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
French woman sues employer after being paid to do nothing for 20 years, and still got salary
French woman sues employer : What might sound like a dream job to some became a long, painful ordeal for one French woman, and now, she's taking her employer to court, as per a report. Dream Job or Silent Struggle? Laurence Van Wassenhove is suing French telecommunications giant Orange , claiming that for two decades she was paid a full salary but given no work to do, according to a News 24 report. She shared that, 'Being paid, at home, not working is not a privilege. It's very hard to bear," as quoted in the report. A Promising Career Derailed by Health Challenges The 59-year-old trained human resources specialist, began working at France Telecom in 1993, but after being diagnosed with epilepsy and hemiplegia, a form of partial paralysis affecting one side of the body, she was offered a secretarial role instead, as per the News 24 report. The company adapted its workplace to accommodate her condition, according to the report. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Undo ALSO READ: Blow to Trump's hopes as he won't like this: Fed's Daly says rate cut unlikely next Company Takeover Leaves An Employee in Professional Limbo However, things changed in 2002 when France Telecom was taken over by Orange, as reported by News 24. After a request to transfer to a different regional office, an occupational health assessment in 2004 found her unfit for the new role and she was placed on standby, as per the report. From then on, she alleged that the company just stopped giving her any work, leaving her in career limbo, reported News 24. Live Events The Hidden Cost of Doing Nothing: Mental Health Impact Despite receiving her salary every month, Van Wassenhove alleges she was told to stay home and was given no tasks, no desk, and no contact with colleagues for over 10 years, which left her feeling isolated, according to the report. She said that, 'I was paid, yes,' she said, 'but I was treated like I didn't exist,' as quoted by News 24. The emotional impact was devastating. Isolated and without a purpose, the mother of two says the years of forced inactivity left her battling severe depression, as per the report. In 2015, after more than a decade of silence from her employer, Van Wassenhove filed complaints with French anti-discrimination authorities, hoping for mediation, but nothing changed, as reported by News 24. ALSO READ: Stranded by the Air Canada strike? Here's what passengers must know about refunds and rights A Legal Fight for Recognition Now, she's suing Orange, as her lawyer, David Nabet-Martin, said that Laurence has been a victim of discrimination since 2004, alleging that Orange has been trying to coerce her into quitting her job, according to the report. He said, 'Work, for a person with a disability, means having a place in society. Recognition. Social connections that are created,' as quoted by News 24. Orange Denies Wrongdoing Orange disputes her claims, arguing it made every effort to accommodate her condition and that a return to work had been planned, but was repeatedly delayed due to her medical leave, according to the report. FAQs Who is Laurence Van Wassenhove? She's a 59-year-old French woman who worked at France Telecom (later Orange) and is now suing her employer for not giving her work for 20 years, as per the News 24 report. How did the inactivity affect her? Laurence says the lack of work made her feel isolated and invisible, leading to severe depression.
Economic Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Economic Times
Woman sues employer after 20 years of being paid to do absolutely nothing
Laurence Van Wassenhove is suing telecom giant Orange, formerly France Télécom, alleging two decades of paid inactivity severely impacted her well-being. Hired in 1993, her role diminished after developing health issues in 2002. Despite receiving a salary, Van Wassenhove claims the isolation and lack of purpose led to depression and financial struggles. A woman is suing her employer, a telecom giant. She claims the company paid her for 20 years without assigning any work. (Representational image: iStock) Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads From valued hire to workplace exile 'I was paid, yes, but I was treated like I didn't exist' Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Company response and ongoing battle In a case that flips the fantasy of 'getting paid to do nothing' on its head, 59-year-old Laurence Van Wassenhove is taking one of Europe's biggest telecom companies, Orange , to court. She alleges that the company left her in a professional void for more than 20 years — full salary intact but with no tasks, no responsibilities, and virtually no human to French outlet FTV, Van Wassenhove described her experience as 'forced inactivity' that left her 'invisible' in the Wassenhove joined Orange in 1993, when it was still France Télécom. After developing epilepsy and hemiplegia — partial paralysis on one side of the body — she was reassigned from her original role to a secretarial position, making use of her HR her career stalled in 2002 when she sought a transfer to another region. An occupational health review deemed her unfit for the proposed post, and she was instead placed on 'standby,' marking the beginning of her decades-long professional limbo Despite her steady income, Van Wassenhove told Mediapart she faced financial struggles, eviction notices, and worsening mental health while caring for her autistic child. The isolation, she says, eroded her sense of purpose and left her battling severe lawyer, David Nabet-Martin, argues that Orange's inaction deprived her of 'having a place in society' as a disabled person, causing long-term psychological speaking to French outlet La Dépêche, insisted it considered Van Wassenhove's 'personal social situation' and maintained the 'best possible conditions' during her absence from active work. The company also claimed it had explored reintegrating her into a new role, though repeated sick leave meant it never Wassenhove first raised her concerns formally in 2015 with both the government and the High Authority for the Fight against Discrimination, but she claims little has changed. Early retirement was eventually suggested due to her disability — a prospect she saw as yet another push out of the working the idea of collecting a paycheck without lifting a finger might sound like the ultimate workplace perk, Van Wassenhove's case paints a more complicated picture — one where prolonged inactivity can be just as damaging as she takes her fight to court, the outcome could spark new conversations about the intersection of disability, workplace inclusion, and what it truly means to 'have a job.'
