Working Hours and Overtime in France

What Are the Standard Working Hours in France?

In France, the standard legal working week is 35 hours, established to promote work-life balance and reduce unemployment. Employees typically work from Monday to Friday, with standard office hours running from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, including a meal break. A minimum rest period of 11 hours is required between two consecutive working days, and a minimum meal interval of 20 minutes must be observed for employees working more than six hours in a day. For employees aged 18 or older, maximum working hours are regulated to ensure health and safety, while younger workers face stricter limitations to protect their well-being.

Maximum Working Hours in France

French labor law imposes strict limits on working hours to safeguard employee health. Employees cannot work more than 10 hours per day. Over any 12 consecutive weeks, the average working time must not exceed 44 hours per week, with a single-week maximum capped at 48 hours. Some exceptions allow for extended hours, but these are generally subject to collective agreements and regulations ensuring employee welfare.

Industry-Specific Exceptions

Certain industries operate under unique working hour regulations due to the nature of their work. For example, healthcare professionals and transportation workers often follow different schedules from the standard 35-hour workweek. These exceptions ensure essential services operate efficiently while protecting employee rights, usually governed by sector-specific collective agreements.

Managerial and Exempt Employees

French labor laws classify certain managerial employees, known as "cadres", as exempt from standard working hour regulations. These employees often hold significant responsibilities and may not be subject to the 35-hour workweek. Instead, their working time may be based on an annualized system known as "forfait jours", which allows for flexibility but requires a formal agreement ensuring employee health and safety.

Statutory Full-Time Working Hours in France

In France, full-time employment is legally defined as 35 hours per week. While specific agreements may allow for variations, the 35-hour workweek remains the general rule. Employers and employees may negotiate alternative terms, but any deviation must comply with national labor laws and relevant collective agreements.

Overtime Regulations in France

Overtime in France includes any hours worked beyond the standard 35-hour workweek. Labor laws regulate overtime strictly to ensure fair compensation and prevent excessive working hours.

What Counts As Overtime in France?

Any work performed beyond 35 hours per week is considered overtime. These additional hours are subject to legal compensation rules and must adhere to limits on maximum working hours.

Maximum Overtime in France

The maximum allowable overtime is 220 hours per year per employee. Exceeding this limit requires employers to provide compensatory rest. Failure to comply with these regulations may result in fines and other penalties.

Overtime Payout Rates in France

In France, working overtime is not as prevalent, but employers can consent to extended workweeks. Any hours beyond the regular 35 hours per week are considered overtime, with employers compensating at a rate of 25% per hour for the initial eight hours of overtime. An extra 50% is applied for each subsequent hour.

Rest Periods and Breaks in France

French labor law mandates specific rest periods to protect employees' well-being:

 
• Daily Rest: Employees must receive 11 consecutive hours of rest between workdays.
 
• Weekly Rest: A minimum 24-hour break per week (typically on Sunday), combined with the daily rest, results in 35 consecutive hours off.
 
• Meal Breaks: Employees working more than six hours are entitled to at least a 20-minute break.

Night Shifts and Weekend Regulations

Night work in France is defined as work performed between 9:00 PM and 6:00 AM. Employees engaged in night shifts are entitled to additional compensation, reduced working hours, or increased rest periods, as determined by collective agreements. Weekend work, especially on Sundays, is generally restricted and requires special authorization. When permitted, employees working weekends often receive extra pay or compensatory rest.

How Playroll Simplifies Employer Responsibilities and Compliance

Expanding your workforce across international borders is an exciting step, but it can be challenging to keep up with ever-changing local labor laws and regulations in different countries. That’s the advantage of using an Employer of Record like Playroll:

• ‍Scale your global team: Legally hire and swiftly onboard new hires in 180+ regions without the red tape by offloading the HR admin to Playroll, so you can freely explore new markets and focus on growth.
• Stay compliant: Our built-in compliance checks and vetted contracts mean your agreements will always meet all legal requirements for working hours, overtime regulations, and more.
• ‍Pay your team accurately: Ensure your international employees and global contractors are paid on time, every time, and set up centralized global payroll processes.