Nathalie lost her job following a five-month sick leave to recover from her assault. Despite her research, she could not find a job and encountered financial difficulties. Nathalie confides, on "La Libre antenna", fearing not to find a job because of her age.

TESTIMONY

Nathalie was assaulted five years ago and had to stop working for five months. She had held a position for 20 years, but upon returning from her sick leave her job was not returned to her. Despite her assiduous research, Nathalie does not manage to find a job. She then experiences financial difficulties and fears finding herself on the street. At the microphone of "La Libre antenna" on Europe 1, Nathalie, being 58 years old, said she was desperate to find a job.

>> Listen to Nathalie's testimony in full here

"I had a job for 20 years in the legal field. Everything was going very well. My colleagues and my boss, it was like my second family. I always did my job without counting the hours. I only lived for my job. I had a passion for my job. Especially since I lived in a toxic relationship for 25 years with someone. We had separated and I told myself that as long as he was still my job, everything was fine.

One evening when I was leaving my office, I was assaulted by three minors. I defended myself and was thrown violently to the ground. I had two broken ribs and a ruptured ligament in my right shoulder. I filed a complaint. I told my boss what had happened to me. I lay there for five weeks and went back to work. I realized that I could no longer carry my files, I was in great pain. I did physiotherapy for a year. I couldn't lift my shoulder anymore, I couldn't drive anymore, but I was still working.

" I was not returned my job "

I have been operated. I told my boss that I had to take five months off. He was not very happy. They took someone inside the cabinet to replace me. I suffered a lot, I did not sleep, but I wanted to resume my work. I came back on a Monday morning. I arrived in my office and the person was still there. My job was not returned to me. I couldn't see my boss.

I went crazy. It is as if I was assaulted a second time. I had never stopped in 20 years, I did not do any professional misconduct. I went to the Prud'hommes. They told me my boss was not allowed to do this. Today I am 58 years old, when it happened I was 53 years old. My boss's associates offered me a job that didn't interest me. The position I had before fascinated me. They offered me a menial job. I refused.

" There are 820 people in front of me for social housing "

I couldn't resign, I had rent and charges to pay. I would not have had the right to any compensation from Pôle emploi. I asked for a conventional break and I left. I made small replacements, but for a year and a half I haven't found anything, despite my incessant research. Being out of work affects my mood. I have crying attacks, I don't sleep anymore, I don't eat anymore, I blame the whole world.

With the Pôle emploi benefits, I lost half of my salary, but I still have the same rent and the same charges. When I pay my rent, I have almost nothing left. I go to the Restos du Cœur, otherwise I can't eat. It is getting very serious. I contacted a social worker. There are 820 people in front of me for social housing. I am not a priority because I have no children.

>> Find Olivier Delacroix's Libre antenna in replay and podcast here

I was told that in three months, I will receive the RSA, 520 euros per month. It won't pay my rent. I have two solutions: either I go under the bridges, or I commit suicide. And I will not go under the bridges. If by some miracle I find a job even in another department, I will leave. I do not know what to do. I need to work, even if it means stopping the notary. We talked about retraining with my Pôle Emploi advisor, but what should I retrain at at 58? There are days when I don't want to get up anymore. I don't know where I'm going to end up. "