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 France announces new monthly €100 bonus for intensive care nurses Rail unions call for Wednesday station staff strike in Ile-de-France Who will benefit from the pay rises expected in France in 2022?
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 15 French departments refuse to pay benefit to non vaccinated workers Which products are – or could be – hit by stock shortages in France? French ski resorts boost as ‘this winter, we’re open’ slogan launches Do people in France really work less than in other countries? Shortages of goods in France: What is expected in the months to come?
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.
Protection for workers who use ‘platforms’ like Uber Drivers with Uber, delivery cyclists with Deliveroo and other workers who work through intermediary platforms ( plateformes numériques collaboratives in French ) are set to get better protection.
Air France unions threaten more strikes in September Worker unions at Air France have threatened to “restart” their strike action over pay rises this September, if no agreement is reached on the issue over the summer.
Train strike continues as French unions stand firm Train strikes are set to continue into July and August, as unions stand firm and a strike timetable is running today (Friday July 6), ahead of the first weekend of the school summer holidays.
French train strike will continue into July: Union Train worker union CGT Cheminots has announced that SNCF strikes are to continue into the summer, with a “light” calendar offering even fewer trains than seen in the last three months.
All but one unions call off Air France strike notice All but one workers’ union at Air France has lifted their notice to strike from June 23 to 26, pending the arrival of the company’s new CEO in July.
Union: France train strikes ‘to continue into July’ Train union CGT Cheminots has announced that its strike will continue into the month of July, even as the Senate recently voted to adopt the controversial railway reforms.
New strike called at Air France in ongoing pay dispute Unions at airline Air France have announced a new worker strike from June 23-26, in a renewed call for a rise in salaries as the long-running dispute between unions and management continues.
Police wear pyjamas in bed to protest work conditions Police officers have taken to the streets to protest against their working conditions and lack of a private life - wearing pyjamas, night caps, and lying on a bed.
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).
New Mercedes electric car to be made in France A new electric car by Mercedes is to become the first major German-brand vehicle to be made in France, securing 800 jobs, after Daimler - owner of the Smart car factory in Moselle (Lorraine) - confirmed the agreement this weekend.
One fifth of flights could be cancelled this Tuesday Up to 20% of domestic and international flights could be cancelled on Tuesday (May 22) to and from airports Orly, Lyon and Marseille, due to three air traffic controller unions calling a strike and protests.
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.
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.
Air France chaos as strike cancels 1 in 4 flights Today’s Air France strike has grounded one in four scheduled flights, just ahead of the Easter weekend (Friday March 30).
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.
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.
Prime Minister’s SNCF reforms provoke strike threats The Prime Minister has proposed a series of reforms on national railway SNCF, including a controversial change in the status of staff, prompting threats by rail unions of a “month-long strike”.
French-made robots replace humans as automation rises Robots made in France are increasingly replacing human workers as far afield as the United States, as the demand for automation rises.
Unemployment drops in France, yet issues remain The number of unemployed people in France dipped dramatically in September this year, in its biggest drop since 2001, yet unemployment statistics remain problematic.
Paris Christmas market workers threaten to protest Market stall staff and fairground workers are threatening to march on Paris and block its roads if the police do not allow the traditional Christmas market on the Champs-Elysées to take place.
Workers have nearly 17 days off ‘sick’ French workers took nearly 17 days off last year with over-55s having nearly three times as many ‘sickies’ as the under-30s.
Lidl “harassed” French employee who killed himself The supermarket chain Lidl has been heavily criticised after a French court heard it had allegedly “repeatedly harrassed” a French staff member who killed himself at work.
French Deliveroo drivers threaten to leave in pay row Deliveroo cyclists and drivers in France are threatening to leave the food delivery company after a new contract was announced this month.