-
Workers in France can take 17-day break using only eight days of leave in 2026
Favourable calendar for public holidays makes extended May break possible, with five guaranteed long weekends throughout year
-
Many of France’s chambres d’hôtes face closure under 2026 tax and social charge changes
Measures designed to curb Airbnb-style lets are set to hit traditional B&Bs particularly hard
-
I became a professional upholsterer after moving to France
Jo MacDonald, 59, describes how she monetised her hobby in Gers
Laying off home help with French CESU
The Cesu home worker payment system is convenient for employing a gardener, cleaner or childcare help at your home but you must abide by certain rules if you wish to stop the work.
First, you must clearly identify the reason: for example, a change in circumstances or a fault by the worker.
In the first case, you may wish to offer a change to the contract.
In the second case, if faults are minor, they should be of a repeated nature, eg. not a one-off occasion of arriving late.
Advertisment
You should send a recorded delivery letter with receipt slip, asking the person to attend an interview at a time and date at least five days away with a view to possible redundancy (entretien préalable).
After hearing the employee’s views, you then, after two days, send a letter notifying them of the redundancy and the reason.
Then there is a notice period, except in the case of a serious fault on the worker’s part such as theft or repeated unjustified absences, depending on length of service, from a week to six months.
Compensation is payable, again depending on the length of service. You also need to ensure wages are paid up and that you provide a certificat du travail and attestation Pôle Emploi.
The Cesu service can help with these formalities.
