What is the Journée de Solidarité?
Established for the first time in 2004 in response to a particularly bad heatwave in 2003. Around 15.000 vulnerable French people did not survive the high temperatures. The government of Jean-Pierre Raffarin decided to remove the holiday character of this day. The idea is, that the income workers generate on this day funds social welfare programs and support services for the elderly and disabled. In short, people working on this day will not earn their wage, their wage is donated to a program for the vulnerable.
In 2008, Pentecost Monday became a public holiday again. The government gave employers the choice of removing a day off or offering this day to their employees. In France, about one third of the employees work on Whit Monday.
When is the Journée de Solidarité?
The day falls on Monday of the week of Whit Monday (Pentecost), which usually is a public holiday in France. The French celebrate Whit/Pentecost Monday every year 50 days after Easter.
Who participates?
Participating in this event depends on several factors. Employers are responsible for implementing the Journée de Solidarité and determining how it is observed in their business, including any additional compensation or time-off arrangements for employees. It depends on the industry and employment contract, for example hospitals, public transportation, and some restaurants usually remain open regardless. Civil servants, post office workers and those who work in banks all have the day off.