employment contract Archives : Urban Index

The employment contract in France can be tricky to understand. There are a lot of footnotes and impenetrable jargon. But don’t worry, reality is not as confusing as it seems.

First of all, most contracts that you’ll sign as an employee will be legitimate. It may not seem this way because of the many paragraphs and/or the wording is strange, but they are. Labour law in France is one of the most complex in the world, and most employers will rely on lawyers to draft their own versions.

Second, even though your contract is 15 pages long, there are only a few elements that need to be checked thoroughly. The rest is mainly French self-satisfaction in writing long and complex sentences (we don’t have writers like Proust for no reason…).

Little disclaimer : we are not law professionals and the advice we give is not exhaustive. If any doubts or questions remain after reading this article, either contact us or a labour law professional.

Must the employment contract be in written form on paper ?

There is a distinction in France between permanent contracts (CDI – Contrat à durée indéterminée) and temporary contracts for part-time positions (CDD – Contrats à durée déterminée).

The CDI doesn’t always have to be in written form on paper, but the vast majority of companies will have you sign one. You can always request your employer to provide you with a written contract.

The CDD always has to be in written form on paper. This also applies for fixed-term contracts (like temporary positions), or apprenticeship contracts.

A written contract is always more protective of the worker than a mere verbal agreement and it’s pretty standard to have a written contract in France.

Can I start working without a contract ?

In France, you can start working without a contract but you must make sure that you get one as soon as you can. A contract is always more protective than a verbal agreement.

Some companies may send a work confirmation letter (lettre d’engagement) in which they declare their intention to hire you. This is in no way a contract !

What should be included in the employment contract?

A permanent contract must specify:

The identities and addresses of all parties.
The job title and professional qualifications.
The place of work.
Working hours.
Remuneration (salary and bonuses).
Paid leave.
Duration of the trial period.
Notice periods in the event of contract termination.
A non-compete or mobility clause, if applicable.

Can I request a contract in another language ?

CDI contracts must be drafted in French.

You can always request a bilingual version or a copy translated into your own language for information purposes.

The French version of the employment contract will remain the reference version.

What is a trial period and how long can it be ?

In France, before the definitive hire, you may have to work a trial period. During this trial period the employer can fire you at any time, but you can also leave at any time, without any notice period.

Trial periods are not mandatory. They are at the employer’s discretion. The duration of the trial period varies according to your rank in the company :

up to 2 months for the workers (ouvriers et employés)
up to 3 months for technicians (agents de maîtrise ou techniciens)
up to 4 months for a cadre

Your rank (worker, technician, cadre) is usually specified in your contract.

Trial periods can be renewed once.

How can I change my contract ?

Bear in mind that two changes are possible :

“Changes to the conditions of employment” which the employer can decide unilaterally (hours, notice period, etc.)
“Changes of the contract of employment” which requires the employee’s agreement and which relates to:
- the methods of payment or the amount thereof
- the working hours
- the place of work
- the employee’s job title,
- any other information considered necessary by the parties.

How to end an employment contract ?

The CDD ends once its term is up.

The CDI can be terminated by the employer or the employee.

Bear in mind that in France, there are multiple ways to end a work contract. Here is the article about getting fired and quitting.

When it’s on the company/employer initiative, it’s then a termination (licenciement in french). You can also instigate the end of your work contract, then it’ll be either a resignation or a mutually agreed termination

Tips

Never write and send a blank resignation letter to your employer
Always check that your rank and remuneration align => Your working contract shows your rank and in France, collective agreements set a minimum amount for salary based on that rank.
You cannot have more than 2 consecutive CDD with the same company for the same position. If they hire you a third time in this situation in a CDD, you have to be offered a CDI.

Discover the Difference: CDI vs. CDD Employment Contracts in France.

CDI

Looking for job security in France? Consider the CDI (Contrat à Durée Indéterminée), a permanent working contract without a predetermined end date. In other words, it’s the most prevalent type of employment contract. Indeed, a CDI offers unparalleled stability besides peace of mind for employees.

CDD

On the other hand, there’s the CDD (Contrat à Durée Déterminée). As the name suggests, it’s a fixed-term contract designed for temporary work or specific projects. Contrary to the CDI, the CDD has a defined start and end date, and consequently may not provide the same level of job security.

	CDI	CDD
What does each contract represent?	For a permanent position and someone who will be employed for the long run	Usually temporary replacement (maternity leave, holidays etc). To cope with a surge in operations. Sometimes to trial the employee beore offering a CDI.
Do I need a written contract?	Yes, for both, written and signed! Never start working before you’ve signed your contract!!
Are the responsibilities and expectations the same?	Usually you’ll complete a probation period and are expected to “perform”pass”. A CDI is a long-term contract that commits both of the employer and the employee.	Most of the time, the level of responsibility will be lower.
Is the salary the same?	The salary of a CDI is usually higher. Also, as you’ll stay in the company longer, you may get bonuses and promotions.	You’ll probably be paid less (around 14% less according to French statistics). Most of the time, the bonuses will be lower and pay raises are rare.
Can you request one or the other from your employer	The type of contract is in the vast majority of cases is set by the employer and visible in the job ad.
Can you request one or the other from your employer	It’s really not commonplace to ask for a CDD when you can have a CDI.	If you have a CDD, you can negotiate with your employer to have him consider switching your contract when it reaches the final weeks.
Is there a trial period?	Most of the time, yes. It can be up to 4 months and renewable for the same amount of time (so 8 months in total).Check our work contract article	Could be, but not always. Max. 1 month.
Is it temporary or permanent?	Permanent	Temporary (can only have two CDDs in a row, if you have 3 in a row, the third one can be reconsidered as a CDI)
What’s the duration?	Until you retire, if you don’t quit before!	There is no minimum length. The maximum length is 18 months (in general).
Are the working conditions the same?	Duration of the workday (35h/week in the general case, not if you’re cadre / maximum 48h a week) Night work (and rest day or over pay) Weekly rest days (usually Sat and Sun) Bank holidays
Holidays	2.5 days per month	2.5 days per month but if you don’t take your leave before the end of your CDD, you can be compensated
Is there a difference in social protection?	No
What are the perks?	They are the same: Ticket restaurant or a cantine at the workplace Reimbursement of half of the transport fees Employee savings scheme (if there is one)
How can I end my contract?	Resignation Lay off Rupture Conventionnelle	Natural end of the CDD Resignation Lay off
How can I end my contract?	For both, make sure to check the length of your notice period.
Do you get chômage/unemployment benefits?	Resignation = No Lay off = Yes Rupture conventionnelle = Yes	Natural end of the CDD = Yes, if you have worked for at least 6 months (and prime de précarité if you don’t get a CDI after) Resignation = No Lay off = Yes, and you get compensation for the time in your contract you’ll will not finish

How to choose?

In short, France is often recognised for its workers protections, which include prioritising the well-being of their employees. In addition to minimum standards like maximum working hours, minimum wages, and paid leave entitlements. Nevertheless, workers have employee benefits, job security first as described above in addition to the famous French right to disconnect.

Explore the nuances between these two contract types and make an informed decision about your employment prospects in France. For this reason, choose the option that aligns with your long-term goals as well as aspirations.

Have a look at your plans and goals for the short- and long-term, which working contract and which field of work would best match your ambitions. Then, once you’ve started forming an idea, head over to our article on how to find a job!

Tag: employment contract

The employment contract in France