Standard work time

In France, the standard work time for a full-time employee in the private sector is set at 35 hours per week. This legal maximum establishes the baseline threshold above which employees are entitled to overtime compensation or compensatory rest periods. The 35-hour week applies to most private sector workers and serves as the reference point for calculating working time obligations, leave entitlements, and additional remuneration.

The rule is codified in the French Labour Code (Code du travail), specifically under provisions governing the duration of work for full-time private sector employees. This framework has been in place since the Aubry Laws of 1998 and 2000, which introduced the 35-hour week as a cornerstone of French employment regulation.

Any hours worked beyond 35 per week are classified as overtime and must be compensated either through additional pay or by granting equivalent compensatory rest days, depending on collective bargaining agreements or company policy. Employers must maintain accurate records of hours worked to ensure compliance with these thresholds.

Payroll and HR teams must track weekly working hours carefully, as exceeding 35 hours triggers legal obligations for overtime compensation. Collective agreements may establish different arrangements, including annualized working time calculations that average hours over longer periods, but the 35-hour weekly standard remains the legal baseline. Employers should document all time tracking systems and ensure payroll calculations properly account for overtime premiums or rest day allocations to remain compliant with French labour law.