French rail worker paid £3,500 a month to do 'nothing'

An employee of France’s rail operator (SNCF) has revealed he was being paid £3,550 a month to do absolutely “nothing”.

Charles Simon claims he was not given a new role after he blew the whistle on its subsidiary company.

Geodis Solutions is the subsidiary which handles the transport logistics. In 2003, Simon said he “discovered a fraud based on false disputed transport invoices amounting to €20 million.” He explained he told his managers of the suspected fraud but was still moved from Geodis to SNCF. Despite not being given a new role, he continued to be paid the same monthly wage.  

However, instead of being delighted with the situation, he has filed a complaint stating that the situation had stopped him from progressing his career further.  “I am asking for recognition for the wrong this has caused me because if I hadn’t been side-lined, I could have had a fine career.”