What the new French President means for employers

Emmanuel Macron views liberalizing French employment law as a priority. To achieve that effect, he plans to amplify the actions initiated in 2015 (the Rebsamen and Macron laws) and in 2016 (the El Khomri law). Some of his employment law objectives include the following:

• More flexibility through negotiation: Macron is likely to extend the list of matters company agreements govern.
• More simplicity: He wishes to merge the three employee representative bodies (works council, workers’ representatives, and health and safety committee) and simplify employers’ administrative obligations.
• More legal security: The law will set a cap for unfair dismissal damages.

These changes will require the new president to secure a parliamentary majority in next month’s legislative elections. Ogletree Deakins’ Paris office will keep you updated on developments in French labor and employment law.