The COVID-19 pandemic has a major economic impact on all businesses

Published on : 26/03/2020 26 March Mar 03 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has a major economic impact on all businesses.
The French government has taken measures to help alleviate some of the difficulties.
What do employers and workers need to know?

Remote work should be used if possible

If workers have to come in: put in place ALL protective measures possible (distancing, rotations, hygiene)

Activity Partielle- Short Time Working:
  • - Allows for business to offset some of the fallout.
  • - Employees are paid 70% of their gross wages by their employer (within the limit of 1,000 hours per year)
  • - The Employer is paid an indemnity by the State
  • - Employers need to apply online and justify their request
  • - All businesses ordered to close qualify automatically
  • - Employees can’t refuse (except protected employees)

Paid holidays and days off

Employers may force, through a collective agreement, employees to take up to 6 days of paid holidays. Days offs related to working time arrangements (JRTT) can also be imposed unilaterally, up to 10 days, if it is justified by the interest of the company with regards to economic difficulties faced due to the Covid-19 crisis

Childcare leave

Schools are closed. So employees with kids under 16 can get a special work stoppage to take care of their kids who are home. The employer can’t refuse this.

Employees at risk

Employees with certain health conditions (3rd term pregnancy, HIV, recent cancer) can benefit from a special online declaration to obtain a work stoppage without leaving their house.

Bonus for employees coming in to work

The government has encouraged employers to use the special 1000 EUR tax-free bonus for employees who need to come into the workplace.

Right of Withdrawal

Workers may withdraw from a work situation which they have reasonable grounds to believe presents a serious and imminent danger to their life or health.
They must immediately alert the employer of this situation

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