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Employees

Low-cost Toujust stores close in France, some Bricoramas may follow

Both chains have been facing economic difficulties

Workers in France can now earn holiday days during sick leave

Court rules that right is retroactive, leaving employers concerned over a flurry of potential claims

Two-thirds of French pharmacies understaffed

Despite increasing the number of university places to study pharmacy, there is still a shortfall of 15,000 workers

practical

How France learned to embrace the four-day week

Awareness of the environmental benefits is among the drivers for change, which could see one in 10 French firms adopt the practice in the next decade

‘My candid experiences of hiring grape pickers in France’

Vigneron Jonathan Hesford shares surprising stories of slackers, spliffs and gendarmes at his vineyard harvest

French P&O staff protest in Calais over sacking of British colleagues

P&O employees were joined by DFDS colleagues to condemn the company’s social dumping and failure to share information with its staff

Retiring French boss gives staff more than €2.6million in bonuses

It’s not so much generosity as recognition, he said. His staff praised the firm’s ‘family business spirit’

Most sick leave in France this year due to Covid, survey finds

Between January and May, almost half of all health-related work absences in France were due to the virus

Covid-19: France's partial unemployment scheme extended

Companies covered by a scheme for long-term partial unemployment benefits will have access to it for up to two years. Some companies not covered will have access to it until November 1.

Mandatory masks in the workplace in France: FAQs

As masks are set to become mandatory in the workplace in France from September 1, more details have emerged on how this will work - including the types of workplaces, and employer responsibility. We explain.

How to socially distance at work: coworking

Coworking spaces are proving to be a useful tool to keep businesses going while maintaining sufficient physical distancing.

Unions call for lorry driver walkout over Covid-19

Lorry drivers across France are being called to exercise their right to stop working due to risk of Covid-19, but an industry boss has said “there is no shortage [of goods] to fear” as a result.

French crafts in focus: clock and lock-maker

Locks, clocks and a busy time for one French horloger / serrurier

Unions: Strike may continue in France over Christmas

Strikes are continuing in France today (Friday December 13) with some unions threatening to carry on through Christmas, after Prime Minister Édouard Philippe spoke to a mixed response this week.

Controversy over automatic tills in French hypermarché

A French supermarket that is set to use only automatic cashier tills on Sunday afternoons is causing controversy, and been accused of ushering in a “dehumanised society”.

What are the options to work as a couple in France?

My husband and I live in France and plan to launch a small (online) business together. Can you explain the main options for doing this? Can one of us work without being paid, at least at first? T.B.

Tougher sanctions for failing to seek work

Unemployed people claiming state benefits in France now face stronger sanctions - including the suspension of payments for up to four months - if they miss meetings or other key obligations.

Lille offers ‘trial shop’ scheme for new entrepreneurs

The city of Lille (‎Hauts-de-France) is to introduce a “trial shop” system for new entrepreneurs, to allow them to test their business idea in good conditions, and help fight the growing decline of city centres.

French job agency panned for TV-type interview contest

French employment agency Pôle Emploi has been criticised after footage emerged of it asking job-seekers to take part in a reality TV-style contest instead of traditional job interviews.

Can firm insist that I work a bank holiday in France?

My employer told me to work November 1, a bank holiday. Is this legal? F.F.

Smaller firms can leave tax to Urssaf

Small businesses will be able to benefit from help with organising their employees’ “at source” tax payments, the government has clarified.

What changes in France in October

Changes this month include more financial help for single-parent families, another rise in gas prices for Engie customers, and a drop in salary contributions for unemployment insurance.

McDonald’s offers to keep troubled Marseille branch

Fast food giant McDonald’s has offered to keep a Marseille restaurant open in its current format, in the wake of a public outcry and legal challenge that claimed its closure would threaten many locals’ jobs.

Petition in support of slapping driver hits 200k names

Over 200,000 people (and counting) have signed a petition in support of a RATP bus driver, who has been summoned for disciplinary proceedings after he slapped a “disrespectful” middle school boy.

North Marseille fights to keep key McDonalds open

Residents and employees of north Marseille are fighting to keep a McDonald’s restaurant open after it was announced it would be sold and replaced.

Claiming kilométrage costs against taxable income

I am told that employees can claim kilométrage costs against taxable income for their car journey to work. Can you tell me how I work this out? Do I need to keep details of all work/non-work usage and what happens with insurance costs?

Public sector worker strike causes industry chaos

Schools, crèches, trains, flights, healthcare, the police, the postal service, electricity services and even the weather industry are being affected in the vast public sector strike including up to 5.7 million workers today (Tuesday May 22).

SNCF workers received at Elysée after 720km walk

Three striking SNCF workers have been received at the Elysée palace after walking 720km to get there, and sending a letter directly addressed to President Emmanuel Macron.

Eiffel Tower reopens after security staff strike

The Eiffel Tower has reopened its doors to the public this weekend after it was closed by two days of strikes by security guards.

Trams on strike as ex-driver sentenced for 2015 death

Tram drivers walked out on wildcat strike in Riviera capital Nice after a former driver was handed a six-month suspended jail term for manslaughter in connection with a passenger death in 2015.

SNCF workers stand firm as strike continues

SNCF workers are prepared to stand firm on strike action between now and June, and beyond, despite the impact it will have on their pay and quality of life, they have said today, as the strike continues.

More commuter chaos as SNCF strike continues

Commuters and drivers face more difficulties as the SNCF strike continues, with only slightly more trains running today than yesterday, and unions still unhappy with the government response.

SNCF strike chaos as commuters seek alternative routes

Hundreds of kilometres of traffic jams and huge crowds at train stations have built up today as SNCF goes on strike for the first time in its planned three-month stoppage.

Air France announces two more days of strikes

Staff at Air France have announced two more days of strikes for April 3 and 7, in an ongoing dispute over proposed pay increases.

Carrefour: Strike called by unions for March 31

Workers’ unions at supermarket giant Carrefour have called a strike and warned of supermarket closures and possible goods shortages after the group announced the future loss of thousands of jobs.

Government to sanction ‘unjustified’ pay gaps by 2022

Businesses with “unjustified” gaps between employees’ pay are to be sanctioned financially from 2022 onwards, the government has announced.

Castorama admits ‘clumsy’ to ask French to train Poles

Home DIY and garden company Castorama has been forced to backtrack after admitting it was “clumsy” to ask soon-to-be-made-redundant French staff to train their Polish replacements.

Holiday plans? This is when to ‘faire le pont’ in 2018

In 2018, the calendar means that it will be possible for workers to “faire le pont” over national holidays six times, and take three three-day "long weekends".

French CEO gives €1.6m bonus to employees

What would you do with extra cash at this time of year? To celebrate 25 years in business, a French company is to give €1.6 million euros in bonuses to its employees.