A France Telecom employee committed suicide on Thursday, becoming the 25th staff member to kill himself over the past 20 months, a company official said.

The 48-year-old engineer was found in his Brittany home, one month after he had taken medical leave following a recommendation from the company doctor.

'Deadly spiral' ...the chairman France Telecom, Didier Lombard. Credit:AFP

The latest death brought to 25 the number of employees who have taken their lives since February last year at France Telecom, a former state monopoly that has been under major restructuring.

Many of the employees have left notes blaming management decisions or stress at work.