Suicides at France Telecom: the ex-boss and his number 2 definitively condemned

At first instance, the two men were sentenced to one year in prison, including four months, for their “preeminent role” in the implementation of a “die-hard” workforce reduction policy over the period 2007- 2008 within France Telecom.

These “forced march” departures using “prohibited methods” had led to a “deterioration of working conditions” for “thousands of employees”, some of whom committed suicide.

The crisis came to light after the suicide in July 2009 of Michel Deparis, a Marseille technician who directly blamed France Telecom in a letter.

France Telecom has become the symbol of suffering at work. The company, which did not appeal, was sanctioned with the maximum fine of 75,000 euros in a historic judgment, becoming the first CAC 40 company condemned for institutional moral harassment.