Lousi-Piere Wenes, Deputy CEO of France Telecom stepped down following pressure from workers unions in wake of increased staff suicides. Stephane Richard will replace Wenes.

CEO Didier Lombard too was under fire for the unusually high number of 24 suicides by the company’s employees over the last 18 months or so. But the CEO has survived axe.

Wenes was directly blamed by the unions as the person responsible for job slashing and restructuring following cost cutting measures. He will however remain as advisor to the CEO.