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6. Guaranteed maternity leave
Your French boss has to give you 16 weeks of paid maternity leave. It generally breaks down as six weeks before the birth and ten weeks after. Though many expecting mothers get notes from their doctors to stop working six weeks prior to the due date.
To qualify for paid maternity leave you must be registered with France’s social security system for at least ten months before you give birth. You must have worked at least 200 hours over the three months preceding. You will be paid your full salary up to a ceiling of €3,031 a month, according to the latest figures, although some private companies pay the full salary. In the public sector there is no ceiling. You cannot be fired while on maternity leave, either.
7. Guaranteed paternity leave
New dads are entitled to 11 consecutive days off, which include weekends, following the birth of a child. If a family welcomes twins, the father get another six days off work. In most cases the government is responsible for paying you during paternity leave, with similar caps placed on earnings, as is the case with maternity leave.
France tries to coax fathers to take parental leave
8. 'Thirteenth month' bonus
Your employer may have to pay you the so-called 13th month bonus, which, as its name suggests, is simply an extra month’s pay, that most people use to pay their taxes. Under French collective bargaining agreements there are certain sectors, like law firm staffers who aren’t lawyers, who are entitled to the 13th month. However, it is not required of all employers.
9. Employees council
In bigger companies you might benefit from discounted cinema and performing arts tickets through your worker’s council ("Comitéd’entreprise"). If your employer has more than 50 workers, elections must held to name people to the council. The council then, among other services, frequently offers cultural or travel offers to workers.
10. Minimum wage
Yes, France has a minimum wage (known as "le SMIC"), so make sure you are not being paid what you legally deserve. A French employer cannot pay you less than the equivalent of €1,445 per month before taxes or €9.53 per hour.Looking for a job in France? Check out The Local's jobs page.