Municipal Employee in Gironde Sanctioned for Falsifying Work Accident
Bordeaux, France – A municipal employee in Gironde has received a definitive two-year suspension following confirmation by the Bordeaux Administrative court of Appeal on September 16th, for fabricating a workplace accident. The case, dating back to 2017, involved the employee falsely claiming a sprain sustained while operating a mower tractor during work duties.
The agent, a versatile employee handling maintenance, canteen work, and green spaces, reported the injury, enabling continued full salary during sick leave. Though,a subsequent investigation revealed the injury actually occurred at her home,in her garden.
The town hall initially acknowledged “accountability in the service” regarding the accident but later filed a complaint against the employee for “false statement” after inconsistencies emerged. The investigation further uncovered a colleague who provided false witness statements, admitting to investigators he “played the game” to assist his coworker. Testimony from an elected official corroborated that the employee and colleague were not working in the same location at the time of the alleged incident.
While the town initially imposed a two-year suspension for the employee and a six-month suspension for her accomplice, these sanctions were initially overturned by the Bordeaux administrative court due to procedural errors. The municipality appealed, and the Administrative Court of Appeal ultimately ruled in their favor, upholding the original two-year suspension for the employee.