Data mind RH analysis – Agreements focused on older workers more common in France but still heavily focused on end-of-career arrangements National industrial relations On 24 June, the management of the French energy group's services subsidiary and the CFE-CGC, CGT and FO trade unions signed an agreement governing a four-day working week trial for operational teams. The working week will be maintained, but employees who volunteer will be given an extra day off. This one-year pilot project, which will start on 1 September 2024, may then be extended depending on the results.
Italy: Generali harnesses joint committees to adapt to major changes affecting work National industrial relations The agreement signed on 17 April by insurance giant Generali and the First-Cisl, Fisac-Cgil, Uilca, FNA and SNFIA trade unions establishes joint committees to steer major issues related to the impact of artificial intelligence on the organisation, environmental, social and governance criteria and intergenerational issues. The agreement, which covers the group's 13,000 Italian employees, confirma hybrid working practices and strengthens supplementary pension provision. The progress made at Generali is being closely monitored, as the insurance industry's social partners are due to renew their collective agreement.
France: new disability agreement at Orange aims to improve accessibility to premises National industrial relations On 24 March, after tense negotiations, the management of telecommunications group Orange (72,000 employees in France) and the CFDT, CFE-CGC and CGT trade unions finally signed a new collective agreement for 2025-2027, offering several improvements with regard to the employment of people with disabilities. These include changes to the specific end-of-career scheme and new measures to improve accessibility to premises.
France: Pierre Fabre Laboratories focus on keeping disabled employees in work National industrial relations The pharmaceutical group Pierre Fabre Laboratories (5,500 employees in France) and the CFE-CGC, CFTC, CGT, FO and Solidaires trade unions have signed a new three-year company agreement on disability and carers. This text, which came into force on 15 February, introduces new measures aimed at keeping people with disabilities in work, including the implementation of a process for monitoring long absences.
France: La Poste signs new agreement on forward-looking management of jobs and career paths National industrial relations On 31 March, the management of La Poste and the CFDT, FO and CFE-CGC trade unions signed a majority agreement on the management of jobs, career paths and the diversity of roles. The text, which came into force on 1 April and is applicable for a period of 18 months, aims to boost workers' employability at a time of transformation at the company. To this end, the group will rely on a jobs and skills observatory, responsible for anticipating needs within the group.
Sweden: insurer Folksam offloads Tesla shares due to its anti-union stance Corporate practices On 2 May, the Swedish insurer Folksam (3,524 employees) announced that it was selling all of its shares in Tesla. It cites issues at the American car manufacturer owned by Elon Musk with regard to workers' rights in Sweden. The company has been in conflict with the Swedish trade union IF Metall for over a year due to its refusal to negotiate a collective agreement on salaries.
France: sustainable transport packages agreed at Allianz and SNCF National industrial relations Insurance giant Allianz and railway operator SNCF have recently struck company agreements to provide sustainable transport packages for their employees in France. The scheme, approved in 2019, allows for an annual sum exempt from contributions to be granted for the use of sustainable transport options such as cycling and carpooling.
Germany: social partners autonomy bolstered vis-à-vis the labour courts (ruling) National legislation In a landmark decision published on 19 February, the German Federal Constitutional Court (BVG) confirmed the annulment of two judgements handed down by the Federal Labour Court (BAG), dating from 2020 and 2023, concerning the level of wage increases for night work. By favouring social dialogue, the constitutional judges are limiting the scope of the labour courts' control over collective bargaining.
France: Essilor International facilitates transition to retirement National industrial relations The optics specialist and the CFDT, CFE-CGC, CGT and FO trade unions signed an agreement on 1 January 2024 for an indefinite period on end-of-career arrangements and the transition from work to retirement. The aim of this text, which came into force on 2 January, is to "propose solutions to the ageing of the workforce and the extension of the working life". To this end, it offers part-time and early retirement opportunities to older workers who are close to retirement in order to take account of professional wear and tear.
France: agreement at Engie Energie Services on employment of older workers National industrial relations On 19 December, the management of the energy company's services subsidiary and the CFDT, CFE-CGC, CGT and FO trade unions signed an agreement on older workers, focusing on the second part of the career of French employees aged 45 and over. The aim of this text, which came into force on 1 January 2025, is to respond to the new challenges associated with longer working lives.
