Didier Lombard, the former chief executive of France Telecom, has been indicted by a court in Paris following allegations that he led a “corporate culture of bullying and harassment” which may have lead to more than 30 suicides.

Lombard, who was at the head of the company from 2005 to 2010, was questioned for four hours by two investigating magistrates about his alleged  “tough management practices” which may have led to psychological harassment. According to unions, some of these practices included unreachable performance targets and forced moves. The allegations come from a period between 2008 and 2010 when 35 employees killed themselves, many of which left notes citing pressure at work for their actions. France Telecom responded by claiming that the rate was on par with the general population’s.

Lombard has proclaimed his innocence, and writing in Le Monde on Wednesday he said:

I forcefully reject the idea that (restructuring) plans vital to the survival of the company might have been the cause of human tragedies.

The “restructuring” referred to above was part of his “NEXT” program, which saw the company cut more that 22 000 jobs and forced managers to change jobs every three years, all of which was part of an efficiency drive.

I realize that upheavals in the company could cause shocks or disturbances. But I strongly doubt that these essential plans for the survival of the company were the cause of these human tragedies.

His lawyer, Jean Veil, said that accusing Lombard of harassment against people that he never met was a “stunning accusation.”

Lombard has been released under court surveillance and bail of €100 000, if found guilty he could face up to a year in prison and a fine of €15 000.

[Source: GigaOM, Reuters]