The document discusses key aspects of labor laws in France. It outlines the history of labor laws in France dating back to 1884 and covers working hours and conditions such as a standard 35-hour work week, overtime pay rates, night work regulations, minimum wage, hiring and firing practices, paid time off including 10 public holidays, annual leave, and provisions for maternity, paternity and other family leave. The labor laws are aimed at protecting workers' rights and establishing standards for collective bargaining between unions, employers and employees.
2. Body of rulings pertaining to working people and their
organization including trade unions and employee unions
enforced by government agencies.
Types
Collective- It involves relationship between the union, the
employer & the employee.
Individual-It involves concern for employees rights in the
workplace.
4. The first labor laws were Waldeck Rousseau's laws passed in 1884.
1936 and 1938 - work week to 40 hours, excluding overtime.
1968- working week to 44 hours & the minimum wage was also increased by
25%.
2000- 35hour workweek, down from 39 hours.
2005- New Employment Contract (CNE).
Addressing the demands of employers asking for more flexibility in
French labor laws.
5. Identities of the parties
Place of work
Title, grade, nature or category of the work
Date of commencement of the contract
Duration of the work if it is a temporary contract
Amount of paid leave
Length of periods of notice
Information regarding the salary and the frequency of its payment
Working hours
Collective agreements governing the conditions of employment
6. Working time
The legal length of the working week is 35 hours in all types of companies.
The working day may not exceed 10 hours. Employees may not work for more
than 4.5 hours without a break.
The maximum working day may be extended to 12 hours under a collective
agreement.
Overtime
25 % an hour for each of the first eight hours of overtime
50 % extra for each hour after that.
Night work
Night work performed between 21 hours and 6 hours may not in principle
exceed 8 hours a day and 40 hours a week.
Pregnant women working nights must be given daytime work throughout their
pregnancy.
7. Minimum wage
since 1. 7. 2008 the amount 1 321 EUR per month.
Ending employment
By expiry of the agreed term
Notice by employer or employee
Termination by mutual agreement
Death of the employee
The employer in France can decide to retire any worker at age 65.
Holidays
France has 10 public holidays.
Leave
Annual paid leave
All workers have a right to paid leave once they have worked at least one month during
the reference period.
Paid leave dates are decided by mutual agreement between the employer and the
employee.
8. Maternity leave
Maternity leave is 16 weeks per child
Paternity leave
Paternity leave is 11 consecutive calendar days in the case of a single birth and 18
days in the case of multiple births.
Parental presence leave
To look after a child who is disabled, has suffered an accident or is seriously ill.
Individual training leave (CIF)
This cannot exceed one year. Partial maintenance of the salary is guaranteed.
Sabbatical leave
Between six and 11 months.
9. Hiring
Written contract of employment
Contract of employment must be in French,
No restriction on providing a translation or a bilingual version of the agreement
to the employee.
Firing
In France it is not possible to hire employees " at will " in other words, once you
have taken on an employee you may only dismiss him or her for a specific reason.
The reason or ground must be one which is recognised by French Statute or by
French Case Law.