France at a Glance
Working in France
Agriculture and agribusiness are still strong players in France's economy.
Working in France is a pleasant experience for most expats, despite recent attempts to raise the retirement age, which were met with passionate protests by the French population. However, most people working in France still enjoy good working conditions and the benefits of one of the best welfare states in the world.
Some experts believe that the relatively high unemployment rate may be partly due to the inflexibility of the labor market. Despite obeying the laws of a free market economy, this labor market is still characterized by government interventions and state enterprises in key sectors such as energy or telecommunications.
Others blame some of the perks enjoyed by employees working in France, e.g. high minimum wages and an early retirement age. However, the fact that 39 of the world´s 500 biggest companies are French, with a considerable share of their staff working in France, indicates that it is certainly a global player in economic terms.
Working in France: Big Industries
Agriculture has always been a key sector: It currently employs around 3.8% of the active population working in France. The country’s position as the leading producer and exporter of agricultural goods in Europe (and the third biggest agricultural exporter globally) is, of course, partly based on its world-famous wines.
It is also a world-famous exporter of fashion and the home of haute couture. Paris has always acted as a magnet for young fashion designers and talents who would like to enhance their career prospects by working in France.
Tourism is another major sector providing jobs to many people working in France. As the world´s top tourist destination, France attracted about 79 million tourists in the year 2010! Moreover, Disneyland Paris is a favorite destination among young people interested in working in France during holiday periods.
Working in France: Working Conditions
Working in France is regulated by strict employment laws. Contracts between employers and employees working in France are always open-ended (except for seasonal workers, maternity covers, etc.), and everyone working in France is entitled to five weeks of annual leave. In addition, there are special holiday allowances for deaths in the family as well as the wedding of employees working in France.
The 35 hour week was introduced in two stages between 2000 and 2002 in order to combat unemployment, but subsequent laws have accorded more flexibility to companies and their employees. Now a certain amount of annual overtime is legal for people working in France, but free days or extra payment must be granted in exchange.
Working in France: Business Climate
Partly owing to good childcare facilities, the quota of working women is higher in France than in the rest of Europe. The government also started a campaign to abolish all formal gender inequalities (e.g. wage inequalities) by the end of 2010. In general, though, the business environment tends to be on the conservative and formal side.
Hierarchy and ceremony are valued highly among people working in France, and an authoritarian style of leadership prevails. This does, however, not prevent employees from having lengthy and heated debates in business meetings, even if the decision might ultimately rest with one person. At least in big companies, socializing across various hierarchy levels is not all that common.
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