Have you ever wondered how many vacation days French workers get? France is known for its work-life balance and emphasis on quality of life, so it’s no surprise that vacation time is an important aspect of the French work culture.
Legal Vacation Time
In France, workers are entitled to a minimum of 5 weeks (25 days) paid vacation per year. This is mandated by law and applies to all employees, regardless of their job title or industry. Employers may choose to offer more than the minimum amount of vacation time, but they cannot offer less.
Calculation of Vacation Time
The 5 weeks of vacation time are calculated based on a 35-hour workweek. If an employee works more than 35 hours per week, they are still entitled to the same amount of paid vacation time as someone who works 35 hours per week.
Accumulation and Use of Vacation Time
Vacation time in France accumulates from June 1st to May 31st the following year. This means that if an employee starts working in October, they will only be entitled to a proportionate amount of vacation time for that year.
Employees are free to use their vacation time whenever they like, as long as it is approved by their employer. However, many French companies close down for a few weeks in August due to the summer holidays, so it can be difficult or even impossible to take vacation during this time.
Other Types of Leave
In addition to paid vacation time, French workers are entitled to other types of leave:
- Sick leave: up to 90% of salary for up to six months
- Maternity leave: up to 16 weeks (26 weeks for multiple births)
- Paternity leave: up to 11 consecutive days
- Parental leave: up to three years for each child (with a maximum of one year per child)
Conclusion
French workers are entitled to a minimum of 5 weeks (25 days) paid vacation per year, in addition to other types of leave such as sick leave, maternity leave, paternity leave, and parental leave. While employers may offer more vacation time than the legal minimum, they cannot offer less. This emphasis on work-life balance is an important aspect of French culture and contributes to the high quality of life enjoyed by many in France.