How long is annual leave in France?

In France, the minimum paid annual leave after one year of employment is 5 weeks (25 days). However, employers typically offer 30 days. This duration may be increased by the applicable collective bargaining agreement.

According to French law, employees accrue annual leave on a monthly basis, receiving:

• 2.083 days of annual leave
• 0.75 days of RTT (Réduction du Temps de Travail)

However, Velocity Global France's employment agreement template provides 2.5 working days of leave per month of effective work, in accordance with collective bargaining provisions.

How is annual leave accrued in France?

In France, according to the employment agreement template, supported employees receive 2.5 working days of leave for each month of employment during a reference period from June 1 to May 31 of the following year. Collective bargaining agreements may grant additional days off.

For example, from June 1, 2023, to May 31, 2024, the supported employee will accrue approximately 2.08 days of paid leave per month. The supported employee will have until the end of June 2025 to use the 25 days (or 5 weeks) of paid leave accrued during the 2023-2024 cycle. After this deadline, any unused accrued paid leave is forfeited and will not be compensated.

What is the carry-over policy for annual leave in France?

In France, the carry-over policy for annual leave is as follows:

• A minimum of 12 consecutive days of leave must be taken between May 1 and October 31.
• Unused leave typically cannot be carried over to the next year.
• However, if the company has suffered irregular activity and has had to rearrange the employee's schedule accordingly, the employee is allowed to postpone the unused leave until December 31 of the following year.

How is paid time off (PTO) calculated in France?

In France, paid time off (PTO) is calculated according to two methods as per the French Labour Code. These methods are applied successively to ensure the most beneficial outcome for the employee:

• Maintaining the contractual gross salary: According to the French Labour Code, an employee cannot receive a lower gross salary while on vacation. The holiday pay is calculated to maintain the employee's contractual gross salary.

• Applying the 10% rule: In this method, most bonuses and commissions paid to the employee are considered. The holiday pay equals 10% of the employee's gross salary.

The more beneficial method for the employee is always used to determine the holiday pay.

What is the process to request annual leave in France?

In France, the process to request annual leave involves several key steps:

• Employees must submit their annual leave requests at least 4 weeks in advance in accordance with French law. However, Velocity Global France allows for more flexibility when applying for paid time off.

• All paid time off (PTO) requests must be officially submitted through Pebl’s Global Work Platform™. These requests are subject to approval from the customer.

• Once leave is approved, it must also be recorded in the employee's monthly timesheet.

This process ensures that PTO is planned and approved properly, aligning both employee preferences and business needs.

Is time off usage required in set increments in France?

In France, time off usage is required in set increments. Specifically:

• 12 open days (Monday to Saturday) or 10 business days (Monday to Friday) must be taken between May 1 to October 31.

Note: Payroll processing is based on business days.

Is unlimited PTO an option in France, and how can it be accommodated?

Unlimited Paid Time Off (PTO) is not recognized in France.

Is it necessary to track leave accrual on employee payslips in France?

Yes, it is necessary to track leave accrual on employee payslips in France.