LThe local CGT union had arranged to meet at 10 a.m., Saturday morning, in the parking lot of the Castorama DIY store, in the Pontots activity zone, in Anglet. Several dozen people, around 80 at the height of the demonstration and around sixty when they went to the garden center part of the store, responded to this call.
Employees of the brand, but also union activists from the CGT from other companies or public authorities, formed this gathering which aimed to denounce acts of moral harassment, of which there were four, on the part of certain department heads of the brand.
The condemned sign
“The Castorama store in Anglet has just been ordered by the courts to pay the sum of 23,294 euros to an employee for moral harassment. Further legal proceedings will be launched in the coming days. These cases are indicative of a managerial method from another time, unfortunately well known to this national brand,” declared Christophe Punzano, CGT delegate, member of the store’s social and economic committee (CSE).
Thomas, one of the employees concerned, was present. He mentioned his case in front of demonstrators gathered around a banner denouncing “serial harassment, Castorama does nothing. »
The young employee spoke to explain his situation. Now on sick leave, he denounces “the presence of surveillance cameras at the garden center, the fact of having been called to work without clocking in, as well as humiliation. » He does not rule out the idea of resorting to the industrial tribunal.
He admits to having met the new director, Olivier on October 30 and to having received two offers. “He told me I could change departments. I refused. I have been at the garden center for four years. I have experience to serve clients. The other proposal is to involve external mediation. She arrives too late. »
Saturday morning, accompanied by Christophe Punzano, he nevertheless went to the office of the new store director, Olivier Chiarreli, who took office last September, in order to give him a file detailing his situation.
Sexist harassment
The former employee, who obtained 23,294 euros in compensation from the Bayonne industrial tribunal for harassment, also explained her situation. His lawyer, Me Anne-Marie Mendiboure spoke of “serious and extremely harmful behavior for the physical and mental health of employees. », observed in certain sectors of the store, before emphasizing that the conviction of Castorama by the Bayonne industrial tribunal “is final. It includes moral and discriminatory harassment, with a strong sexist component on the part of hierarchical managers. »
“It is not easy to obtain such a decision before the Industrial Tribunal,” added Mr.e Mendiboure. We managed to do it. Situations remain to be resolved. It would be a shame to go to the industrial tribunal again to have the Castorama company sanctioned. »
The deputy EH Bays of the 6th constituency of Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Peio Dufau, also intervened. To provide support to employees who denounce management based on harassment developed by the Castorama group and which it describes as “scandalous ways of doing things. »
Castorama's response
Requested by “Sud-Ouest”, the director of Castorama Anglet did not respond directly, but forwarded the request to the communications agency Edelman France, mandated by the national management of Castorama.
“Castorama does not tolerate any behavior resembling harassment and takes the subject very seriously”, it is written in a response, sent by email, “For several years, we have put in place an internal alert procedure, fast and efficient, accessible to all of our employees. We had launched an internal investigation to shed light on the facts (concerning the Anglet store: Editor's note). The employee accused of having committed acts of moral harassment which gave rise to a conviction, is no longer part of the workforce. »
Regarding the garden sector employee, currently on sick leave, “he was met by management and external mediation was offered to him,” the message indicates. Proposal which he refused. In order to establish the facts, we will launch an internal investigation and we will take the necessary measures, if necessary. The company remains vigilant and listens to its teams. »
