Expansion to France: What you need to know about hiring and employment law

For those unfamiliar with doing business in France, the process of hiring employees is often challenging. A highly regulated employer/employee relationship, with legislation often favoring the interests of the employee, can make things complicated for a business planning an international expansion.

The Code du Travail is the primary basis for labor law in France, but since the country is part of the European Union, employers are also subject to even more laws and regulations. Additionally, individual employment contracts, collective bargaining agreements and a company’s internal rules of conduct can all impact the hiring of employees for international operations.

If you’re considering expansion to France, here are some key points to consider.