Former France Télécom CEO Jail Sentenced Over Employee Suicides

Didier Lombard, the former CEO of France Télécom, was sentenced to one year in prison, with eight months suspended, for creating a toxic work environment that was directly linked to a devastating series of employee suicides. In a landmark ruling, a French court found Lombard and two other executives culpable for moral harassment during a severe corporate restructure that forced the telecom giant to cut 22,000 jobs in the late 2000s.

The court heard harrowing testimonies about the brutal workplace conditions under Lombard’s leadership. Employees were frequently transferred far from their families, assigned demeaning tasks, or left behind when offices relocated. This relentless pressure created a “climate of anxiety” that severely damaged workers’ mental health. Out of 39 cases examined, 19 employees had tragically taken their own lives, 12 had attempted suicide, and many others suffered depression or were rendered unable to work.

One heartbreaking incident involved a 57-year-old man who set himself on fire in the company car park. Another woman, aged 32, died by suicide at work in Paris, while others made desperate attempts following repeated forced relocations. Evidence showed that Lombard once remarked in a 2007 meeting, “I’ll get them out one way or another, through the window or through the door,” illustrating the callous management approach.

Following the restructure, the company, now known as Orange, faced a €75,000 ($83,000) fine, alongside compensatory damages yet to be finalized. Lombard and two former executives received fines of €15,000 each. This case marks the first instance in France where a major corporation was found guilty of “collective moral harassment,” a legal charge addressing repeated acts that degrade employee working conditions, health, or dignity.

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The ruling drew global attention to the consequences of toxic workplace cultures and extreme corporate downsizing. Despite the verdict, Lombard and his legal team have announced plans to appeal. Orange, however, stated it would not contest the decision.

This tragic episode highlights the urgent need for humane management practices and robust employee protection, especially amid significant organizational changes.