Le monde du travail

The Traditional Working World

Historically, French society conformed to a rigid labour market with permanent contracts, known as ‘CDI’ (Contrat à Durée Indéterminée) being the norm.
Typical work hours were inflexible, often from 9AM to 6PM, with a long lunch break.
Many French workers enjoyed a substantial amount of holidays, with up to five weeks of paid vacation per year.
A significant emphasis was placed on qualifications and degrees (diplomas) in securing good jobs. The “diploma culture” has long been a tradition in France.

Over time, the French labour market has seen evolution towards greater flexibility.
There has been a rise in the use of short-term contracts, known as ‘CDD’ (Contrat à Durée Déterminée).
The rise of the digital economy and tech start-ups had led to a shift in work culture introducing more flexible hours and remote working.
The concept of ‘auto-entrepreneur’ or self-employment has grown in popularity.

Unemployment has been a major issue in France, particularly among the young (jeunes) and those over 50.
The economic sectors seeing growth include the digital economy, renewable energy, and luxury goods.
The impact of globalisation has led to a decline in traditional industries, and some manufacturing jobs have been outsourced overseas.
There is a significant socio-economic divide in employment opportunities and job security between the urban areas and ‘la France périphérique’ rural and semi-urban areas.

The passing of the El Khomri law or labour law in 2016, aimed to loosen labour protections to promote hiring and combating unemployment.
There has been a rise in the trade union activism, with strikes or ‘grèves’ being a common form of protest against changes in the working world.
Social campaigns like ‘Nuit Debout’ movement emerged as a protest against proposed labour reforms and other social issues.

Despite changes, there is still a residual belief in the importance of work-life balance (l’équilibre entre travail et vie personnelle) in French culture.
Notions such as the 35-hour workweek (la semaine de 35 heures) illustrate this balance, though its applicability is increasingly questioned in modern times.
The French meal tradition holds, with lunch breaks often remaining an important social event in the working day.
Social inequality is a key issue in the working world, with debates around gender pay gaps, opportunities for minorities, and income disparities continuing to be pertinent.