Employee Handbook & HR Policies: France

When hiring an employee in France, it is essential to have a thorough understanding of the cultural nuances, labour laws, and HR policies.

What is an Employee Handbook? 

An employee handbook sets expectations for employees and helps protect the business against legal claims such as wrongful termination, harassment, or discrimination.
In Europe — and especially in France — this document is closely tied to compliance with national and EU-wide labour standards.

A compliant handbook should reflect EU directives such as:

• GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation)
• Working Time Directive

While these directives provide minimum protections in areas like data privacy, working hours, and workplace safety, France adds additional requirements that employers must include.

What HR Policies Must Be Included in a French Employee Handbook?

To ensure compliance, companies operating in France must consider policies relating to:

• Workplace rules & disciplinary procedures
• Health and safety obligations
• Anti-harassment & discrimination
• Whistleblowing and reporting
• Right to Disconnect (mandatory for 50+ employees)
• Use of IT & communication tools
• Professional development and training
• Working hours and leave policies
• Alcohol, drugs, and smoking policies

Important: Companies with 50+ employees must share a handbook that clearly outlines rights and obligations on health, safety, and discipline.

Why Is an Employee Handbook Important for Employers in France?

France has one of Europe’s most employee-protective labour frameworks.

A strong handbook supports employers by:

• Clearly defining employee and employer responsibilities
• Reducing legal risk and supporting consistency
• Protecting against lawsuits
• Ensuring equal treatment for all employees

However, employers must also anticipate challenges:

• Reduced flexibility if policies are too strict
• Risk of overpromising benefits or rights
• Fast-changing regulations driven by courts, unions, or government reforms
• Employee representation rules through the Co-Determination System

How Can Employers Manage HR Complexity in France?

To navigate regulations effectively, companies should:

• Work with local HR consultants or legal advisors
• Monitor compliance with collective bargaining agreements (CBAs)
• Track wage laws and sector-specific rules
• Use digital HR tools for documentation and compliance management

What Are the Key Employment Rules to Know in France?

France has several unique labour standards that employers must consider:

• Working time: Normal full-time work = 35 hours/week; additional hours are overtime unless exemptions apply
• Anti-discrimination: French law strongly protects equality in employment
• Employee representation: Companies with 11+ employees must establish a Social and Economic Committee (CSE)
• Termination rules: Employers must provide a clear, documented reason for dismissal and follow statutory notice periods

What Benefits Are Mandatory for Employees in France?

French law requires employers to provide several social protections:

• Statutory health insurance
• Pension and life/disability insurance
• Death insurance
• Unemployment benefits
• Worker’s compensation
• Paid sick leave (50% of daily wage for up to six months)
• Maternity/paternity leave (16 to 46 weeks depending on circumstances)

What Additional Benefits Do French Employees Commonly Expect?

Local cultural expectations also influence benefit structure. Common supplemental benefits include:

• Supplemental health insurance (mutuelle)
• Supplemental parental leave
• 13th-month salary
• Meal vouchers (restaurant tickets)
• Wellness or mobility benefits

Customising benefits to local expectations can significantly strengthen employer branding and improve retention.

How Can EuroDev Support Your Expansion Into France?

Expanding into France requires more than meeting legal standards.
Success depends on understanding cultural norms, employee expectations, and country-specific HR practices.

EuroDev helps U.S. and Canadian companies:

• Develop compliant HR policies
• Create or localise employee handbooks
• Ensure compliance with French labour law and CBAs
• Manage hiring, payroll, HR administration, and offboarding

EuroDev’s HR Outsourcing team ensures your expansion into France is compliant, efficient, and aligned with local expectations.

Contact us to learn how our HR experts can support your European workforce.

Written by EuroDev HR Experts  

Disclaimer: While we strive to provide accurate and timely information, please note that HR policies and regulations can change frequently. It is recommended that you seek guidance from our HR consultants to ensure that the data presented here is current and accurate.