Workers

How many bank holidays does France get vs Europe and US?

See how France compares as MPs debate taking away one of the country’s jours fériés

Is it legal to pay a tradesperson in cash in France?

There are rules which dictate how to pay for work at your home

Five long weekends in France for many workers in 2024

There is also the possibility for a five-day weekend using only one day of holiday

news

Doctors under fire over number of sick days they grant French workers

GPs that hand out too many illness days could face a fine of up €9,000

Most strikes in France are on a Tuesday or a Thursday. Here’s why

A cross-sector strike is planned for tomorrow (October 27) and another for Thursday November 10

Rail, schools, métro: What to expect from Thursday’s strike in France

Action will take place nationwide but transport in Paris is expected to be severely affected

France announces ‘first measures’ to tackle hospital staff shortages

Student nurses will be allowed to begin work before they get their diplomas and extra hours will receive double-time pay, the health minister has announced

Restaurants try new ways to recruit to tackle chronic waiter shortages

‘Not one single CV sent in for our job ads,’ a restaurant owner tells The Connexion as the consequences of Covid lockdowns hit the industry

Ryanair’s €8.67million fine for ‘Irish law workers’ in France upheld

The low-cost airline was found to have knowingly sought to circumvent regulations and in particular to have wrongly used ‘E101 forms’ to benefit from lower charges

One P&O Dover-Calais cleared to sail but services still suspended

The Spirit of Britain ship has passed safety checks but the news comes amid a new row over agency crew pay

New P&O ferry crew workers earn £1.81 per hour, UK union claims

The RMT union said that this figure – if correct – would represent ‘shocking exploitation’ and a ‘betrayal’ of the 800 crew members who have been sacked

French workers strike over inflation: Some transport delays expected

Today’s interprofessional strike, which is calling for pay and pension rises, will mainly cause disruption to trains in eastern France

Workers strike across France calling for pay rises amid inflation

Strikers are calling for action to be taken to address rapid rises in the cost of living

Historic French shoe brand Paraboot struggles to meet Instagram demand

The €350-a-pair shoes, said to be popular with priests, winemakers and lawyers - and worn by Paris' police force, have seen a 35% rise in sales this year

What is the ‘Macron Bonus’ for workers in France and who can benefit?

This exceptional one-off payment is especially intended this year to help cashiers, delivery drivers and others classed as ‘second-line’ workers exposed to Covid risks

Mandatory vaccination: 3,000 non jabbed French health staff suspended

Care provision will not be affected, says Health Minister, as the vast majority of the 2.7million workers affected by the rule have been double-jabbed

Health workers must be vaccinated from today or risk suspension

New law applies to 2.7 million, but some would sooner risk suspension without pay than get the Covid jab

Covid France: Social distancing tags spark worker row

The boxes being discussed by hygiene company Essity emit a loud noise or vibration if staff get too close to each other

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.

Post-Covid-19 recovery: new apprenticeship grants announced

New measures to increase the number of apprentices have been brought in by the government from July 1 to avoid a “lost generation” as so many businesses are in trouble because of the lockdown.

Healthcare marches in France spark clashes but also support

Healthcare workers across France protested against a lack of hospital funding yesterday, prompting violence in some places; but heartwarming scenes in others, as some police supported the protesters.

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.

France opens borders to European farm harvest workers

France has opened its borders to European agricultural workers, who will now take much-needed picking and harvesting jobs on French farms, even as the borders remain closed or restricted for most other travel.

France to give €150-€1,500 to key staff and families

Four million low-income households in France are set to receive at least €150 each to help overcome the Covid-19 crisis, as the government confirms grants of up to €1,500 for frontline staff and key workers.

Amazon France must stop all ‘non-essential’ deliveries

Amazon France is no longer allowed to deliver any “non-essential” items during the Covid-19 crisis, as a French court condemns it for continuing to trade as normal, and for not doing enough to protect its workers.

France must ‘work twice as hard’ after confinement

France will “have to work twice as hard” after confinement to jumpstart the economy from a crisis worse than that “seen even in wartime”, business federation the Medef and the French junior economy minister have said.

French post to step up news deliveries after ‘error’

French postal service La Poste is to increase daily newspaper deliveries during the Covid-19 lockdown, as its CEO admits its previous policy of only delivering three days a week was “an error”.

Covid-19: Ile-de-France refunds travel pass holders

Users with season ticket passes for transport systems in the Ile-de-France region - including the Navigo pass - are to receive a refund for the month of April due to the Covid-19 epidemic.

Covid-19: French charity cares for pets of key staff

A charity in southern France is calling for volunteers to look after the pets of healthcare staff, frontline workers, and hospitalised patients during the Covid-19 crisis.

Not one year since 1947 without SNCF strike in France

There has not been a single year since 1947 in which SNCF train workers have not gone on strike in France in some way, a new study has found.

Paris theatres confirm closures as mass strike spreads

Half of private Paris theatres have announced that they will close tomorrow (December 5), becoming the latest sector to confirm knock-on effects as the impact of the planned mass strike spreads.

French Chambre de Métiers – what does it offer?

Official support is available for the hundreds of thousands of artisanal businesses specialising in trades and crafts.

Most French people against planned SNCF strike

The majority of French people believe that the major SNCF train strike planned for December 5 is “not justifiable”, a new poll has found.

Strike continues to hit 2 in 3 TGVs to west France

High-speed trains serving the west of France from Paris remain disrupted today (Tuesday October 29), with just one in three TGVs running due to continued strikes by train staff.

Four-day week is a hit with longer days

More than half of workers would move to a four-day week and work extra hours each day to have the same pay.

'We need more staff': unions slam €70m A&E worker fund

Additional government money to pay bonuses and overtime to stretched emergency department workers

May 1: Origins of the springtime day for worker rights

France is marking the traditional Fête du Travail today (May 1), which has held a symbolic space in the calendar for centuries, and been an official working holiday since 1947.

Police prep Paris for May 1 amid gilets jaunes threat

An “exceptional number” of 7,400 police and gendarmerie have been stationed in Paris in anticipation of today’s May 1 protest marches, in context of the radicalised gilets jaunes and "black bloc" movement.

France to remove one bank holiday to fund elderly care

The French government is expected to announce the removal of one public holiday a year - with no extra pay for workers - as a means to finance increased support for older people.

New no-deal French law covers health and residency

France has fast-tracked a new law setting out rules for Britons living in France in the case of a no-deal.

France/UK cross-border workers have been ignored

I live in France and work in the UK (as a cross-border worker).

CGT strike disrupts Paris attractions and schools

A general strike is taking place in Paris today (Tuesday February 5), affecting some tourist sites and local schools, after union CGT called for a march for buying power and a fairer taxation system.

Shorter-term rental a help for workers in France

A new type of short-term, simplified and flexible contract has been created that could give home-owners the option to rent out for longer periods and avoid any negative effects of Airbnb holiday rentals.

Leaving home: coworkers reap benefits of office use

Every edition we assess an emerging aspect of French zeitgeist. This month: freelancers who share office space, by Jane Hanks

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.

French director asks for staff vote on summer holidays

The director of an Intermarché hypermarket in Occitanie has said he does not want his employees to take holiday in July and August, and has asked them to vote in a referendum on the issue.

Many jobs vacant in France despite high unemployment

Over 150,000 jobs in France remain vacant, despite an unemployment rate of 8.7% nationally, the employment minister has said.

Early French wine harvest suffers from lack of workers

Winemakers in Alsace may struggle to harvest their crops this year as an early season means the temporary workers on which they usually rely are not yet available.

Eiffel Tower re-opens after recurring personnel strike

The Eiffel Tower has reopened to tourists this morning (Friday August 3) after a 36-hour shut down due to an ongoing worker strike.

Unions fighting for rights must lead to change

When I moved to France, although I was drawn by the delights of French culture, food and wine, I was also propelled by then prime minister Margaret Thatcher’s actions; the swingeing cuts to public services, the poll tax, the destruction of the unions, the glorification of money as life’s be-all and end-all.

Workers

How many bank holidays does France get vs Europe and US?

Is it legal to pay a tradesperson in cash in France?

Five long weekends in France for many workers in 2024

Doctors under fire over number of sick days they grant French workers

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