An ordinance to enact “emergency measures” related to short-time working, which was published in France’s official journal on 28 March (here), temporarily modifies the rules on how certain employees (part-time workers, apprentices and individuals on professional training contracts) are compensated and opens up the system to groups that are normally excluded (public companies, individuals who work from home). It also modifies the rules for employees that do training during the short-time working period as well as short-time working in the case of protected employees (e.g. staff representatives). Furthermore, France’s ministry for labour has published a Q&A on the coronavirus crisis, aimed at companies and employees, which in addition to providing up to date and more detailed information on the health and safety obligations of employers also clarifies certain aspects of collective relations such as the role of works councils during this period, negotiating agreements via video-conference, and signing agreements electronically. The page can be accessed here.
The decree of 25 March 2020 (see article n°11765) sought in particular to reduce the burden on companies that resort to short-time working. This new ordinance, which stems from the emergency law to deal with Covid-19 (see article n°11749), introduces new provisions which will only be valid until no later than 31 December 2020, with an end date to be established later by decree.
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