Employment Law France

Overview
Learning journey
Programme
Speakers
Designed for

If your organisation is, or is likely to, set up operations in France then you must ensure that you have an appreciation of key French employment laws as well as reliable information on employment conditions, policies and procedures.

Led by experts, this interactive seminar provides an overview of the French employment law scene and highlights how employment law in France differs from other countries.

“ Very good and very informative ”

Andreas Teschl, Route Director, Norfolkline

“ Thought provoking and very useful ”

Elaine Mahoney, HR Manager, Amlin

“ Excellent overview ”

Shauna Dunn, Manager, HR (EMEA), Guardell

“ A very good learning experience ”

Janis Jones, HR Manager, Aga Rangemaster

“ Very worthwhile & informative, an extremely practical, valuable day. Thank you! ”

Sally Howard, HR Business Partner, A4e Ltd

“ Fulfilled course objectives – exactly what I was looking for. The trainer was excellent – very engaging & maintained interest throughout seminar. ”

Victoria Lefevre, Human Resources Manager, Argo International

“ Very well administered and delivered relevant and applicable seminar ”

Richard Harvey, Managing Partner, Harvey Camford LLP

“ It was really informative; a good balance of technical/legal framework and practical advice ”

Jane Wood, HR Manager, Multipacking Solutions

“ Really great content, organisation and delivery of the course. Was a great day and really valuable. ”

Catt Lloyd, Group HR Manager, Ren Skincare

Gain an understanding of employment law and practice in France
Gain access to country-specific HR expertise combined with excellent networking opportunities
Acquire the knowledge and skills to deal effectively with international employment law issues

09:00	Registration and coffee
09:30	An overview of the employment law framework in France The French legal system
09:45	Hiring employees in France – what are the key issues to consider? Key recruitment tips: the use of personal questions, references Typical employment contracts Key issues in employment contracts (trial periods, remuneration, non-compete, etc.) Fixed term contracts
10:30	Coffee
10:45	Working time The 35-hour week Part-time and full-time work Examining potential pitfalls
11:30	Employee representatives Designated employee representatives Elected employee representatives (employee delegates, health and safety committee, works council) Consultation of the company’s strategic orientations Economic and social data base
12:30	Lunch
13:30	Managing employees Discrimination and harassment Gender pay gap and workplace inequality [new laws 2019] Grievances and disciplinary issues Monitoring an employee’s use of the computer Performance Dismissals New collective redundancy procedure Dismissal rights and settlement agreements Amicable termination
15:00	Employment tribunals and the courts Labour court organisation in France Representation before the Labour courts Statute of limitations Typical damages and costs
15:30	Coffee
15:45	What’s on the horizon? Future developments in labour law Concerns for employers
16:15	Questions and answers
16:30	End of seminar

Nathalie Devernay

Nathalie is an experienced employment lawyer with a clear international and client focused vision. She is a Counsel in the International HR Services Group based in France.

Nathalie advises international corporations in both individual and collective French employment law matters, such as contracts of employment and internal regulations, termination procedures, post-termination obligations and business protection, as well as compensation schemes.

Nathalie regularly advises on international mobility, transfers of employees, corporate transactions and restructuring plans, including cross border matters. She assists clients before French courts in litigation related to employment issues.

She was admitted to the Lyon Bar in 2004 and joined Bird and Bird in 2009. She holds a French postgraduate diploma in business and employment law (DESS-DJCE) and obtained a Master of Trilingual Business Lawyer qualification (JTA), after spending a year in Berlin (Germany).

A French and English native speaker, she is also fluent in German.

Chris Ivey

I am a dual-qualified employment lawyer with extensive experience in the French and European aspects of individual and collective employment matters. I am a Senior Associate in the Employment Group based in France.

I work extensively with international companies conducting business in France, in particular on French employment issues relating to corporate transactions and cross border projects. I have experience coordinating Europe-wide restructuring plans, and regularly work on multi-jurisdictional compliance requirements relating to the harmonisation of codes of conduct, policies and general employment terms and conditions.

In addition to collective employment law matters, including collective dismissals, outsourcing operations and employee transfers, I work on aspects of individual employment relations including individual dismissals, employment contracts, compensation plans, employee invention assignments, and the protection of confidential information and Trade Secrets.

I first joined Bird and Bird in 2006. I hold an LL.B in English and French laws and a diploma in French law. I am admitted to practise in New York and was admitted to the Bar in France in 2009.

A native English speaker, I also speak fluent French.

Directors, HR and personnel professionals, lawyers, in-house legal counsel, line managers with responsibility for staff in France

Pre-course Questionnaire

Title* First name* Surname* Job title* Organisation* Telephone Email* How long have you been with your organisation?* What do you wish to achieve by attending this seminar?* How many employees do you have in France?* How would you describe your working knowledge of French employment law and its practical application in the workplace?* What aspects of this law and practice give you most concern?* Are there any other matters you wish to draw to the attention of our consultant before you attend the seminar?* Are you responsible for employees in any other jurisdictions? If yes, which countries?* Do you have any dietary requirements?*

Special offers

Multiple booking discount

Receive a 20% discount when you book more than one event, or book more than one person on the same event. Please note this discount only applies to the lesser priced booking and when all bookings are placed together.

Registered charities

You are entitled to a 25% discount on your booking if you are a registered charity. This discount will show on your invoice once your booking is submitted. You will need your charity registration number for the booking form.

Technology is bringing about seismic shifts in how we communicate on both a personal and business level. This is particularly evident in how learning is consumed and JSB is committed to delivering its L&D services in a way that optimises all appropriate technology.

In each case participants receive a documentation pack which includes any presentation material alongside a supporting narrative giving useful background information.

Choose the right approach for you:

Face-to-face attendance

The most valuable form of learning delivery continues to be the face-to-face classroom-based event. Engaging with expert speakers and fellow participants in relaxed two-way discussion in a distraction-free environment offers a valuable and practical learning experience.

All JSB programmes take place in top venues in central London and participants report that they greatly value the opportunities that these events provide for learning and networking.

Virtual classroom participation

We frequently welcome participants from overseas to our London events. However, we recognise that HR professionals who are responsible for managing workforces in these countries will not always be able to make the financial and time investment necessary to attend JSB events when they run in London. You will have the opportunity to submit questions to the speaker throughout the event and will get access to the slides and documentation in exactly the same way as those in the room. All you need is a standard domestic broadband connection.

On demand access

Should you find that you can’t wait until the next event on your chosen topic, you can access a full recording of a recent live event. Again, full slides and documentation will be provided. This is an option for those who cannot attend an event on a particular day. Moreover if the learning is to be of practical value it is often the case that even those who participated on the day welcome the opportunity of accessing the material in the weeks and months following the event. It’s a great way to share content with colleagues too.

What next?

Go to our booking form and when you select the event you wish to book on, simply choose the option that best suits you. If you are interested in the on demand access, please get in touch to find out more.

Book online

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Gain an understanding of French employment law in practice and acquire the knowledge and confidence to deal effectively with cross-border HR issues

Registration and coffee

An overview of the employment law framework in France

Hiring employees in France – what are the key issues to consider?

Coffee

Working time

Employee representatives

Lunch

Managing employees

Employment tribunals and the courts

Coffee

What’s on the horizon?

Questions and answers

End of seminar