Does working on a bank holiday in France impact pay?
The company, sector, and collective staff agreements can all affect workers’ entitlement
The amount you may be due for working on a bank holiday depends on your company, sector, and any collective agreements
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You may wish to check your contract or union collective work agreement if you are asked to work on a French public holiday (jour férié), to ensure you are paid the right amount. Some workers can be paid double time.
The next jours fériés in France are November 1 (la Toussaint) and November 11 (Armistice Day).
Read also: Bank holidays, Beaujolais Nouveau, taxe d'habitation: Key dates in November
Read also: Can firm insist that I work a bank holiday in France?
Can my company ask me to work on a public holiday?
Yes, employers in France can ask you to work on a public holiday.
The French labour code le Code du travail only provides for a small increase in pay for these days. It is only working on May 1 (Fête du Travail) that entitles workers to double their usual pay rate.
However on other public holidays, other contracts or agreements may provide for different arrangements and rates of pay.
Read also: 2024 bank holiday dates in France and how they are celebrated
Company decision on pay
Employment law specialist Guillaume Gaudiot told Capital: “The code du travail lists the statutory public holidays, but leaves it up to each company to decide whether or not they will be worked, and whether or not workers will receive financial compensation.”
You can consult your collective or union agreement to determine whether or not you are entitled to extra pay.
“[Any extra pay] will very often be provided for in company agreements, to encourage employees to work and ensure the continuity of the company's operations,” said Mr Gaudiot.
Sector dependent
The extra pay you may receive is also likely to depend on your sector.
“In sectors where business is maintained on public holidays - retail, catering and supermarkets, for example - there is a good chance that workers get extra pay; often double their salary,” Mr Gaudiot said.
Some companies may not offer extra pay, but instead allow staff to have days off on other days to make up for the public holidays they worked.
