Removals to France – Spotlight on French Work Ethics and Business Etiquette in France

If you are taking up employment for a French company, or are undertaking a new venture and require removals to France, here’s our brief guide to work ethics and business etiquette, to help ease your transition.

Hamiltons Removals are specialists in removals to France and have built up a good reputation in our field. For the past 20 years we have provided high class domestic, European and world wide removals at a competitive price. We provide an efficient service and tailor our removals to France to suit your needs.

Meanwhile, if you require removals to France to take up a new post in the country, here’s our at-a-glance guide to what is expected of you in the workplace. This will obviously vary from business to business, but this is a brief overview so you can quickly adjust to your new lifestyle.

Removals to France –  click here to find out more about our removals to France service.

General Workplace Ethics and Business Etiquette

Working week

The working hours are quite rigid in France and were set by the government at 35 hours a week in the year 2000, with anything above this counted as overtime. However, this is subject to some controversy with critics saying that the ceiling on working hours is affecting small businesses. Another rule is that employees are not to work more than four and a half hours without a break.

One top tip is that, if you are thinking of phoning someone on a work related call, or arranging a meeting, it is generally best not to trouble a colleague before 10 am. This is because mornings tend to get off to a slow start and French people like to spend the first part of their morning getting organised and checking their emails etc., before attending meetings and phone calls.

Lunch Breaks
The French are known for taking quite lengthy lunch breaks and many businesses shut for between one to two hours at lunch (with some businesses, such as shops or tourist attractions closing for up to three hours). However, this is changing and now, just like in the UK, a lot of people are having whistle stop lunch breaks and grabbing lunch on the run. Restaurant owners as a whole have noticed a reduction in the number of lunchtime business meetings and some of the reasons behind this include different workplace ethics and a change in the drink drive laws.

Holiday Time

The holiday period agreed with your employer varies, but full time employees are entitled to five weeks of paid holiday a year, which amounts to 2.5 working days off for each month worked. Just as in the UK, many people choose to take their holidays in July and August, so it’s best to avoid these months if you are arranging a business meeting.

Addressing people in the workplace

Something that is quite noticeable is that the workplace in France is quite formal. So, you would only address people by their title, such as Monsieur or Madam, followed by their surname (unless they ask otherwise and give permission for you to use their first name). This includes in person, on the telephone and also via email. Always use ‘vous’ unless given permission to use ‘tu’. It’s also polite to acknowledge people when you walk past them in the corridor, so always say ‘bonjour’.

Greeting People at Business Meetings

It is acceptable to handshake when you greet people at a business meeting in France. You wouldn’t normally kiss somebody on both cheeks in a work environment, as this is reserved for close friends or for meeting people outside of work. However, do accompany your handshake with a cheery ‘bonjour’. Something to remember is that many people in France introduce themselves with their surname first, so remember this when you address them. Business cards would normally be exchanged at the first introduction.

At the Business Table

As the dress code is very formal at business meetings, the key is to dress conservatively; this means being well groomed from top to toe with a good, classic haircut and high quality shoes. Once in the business meeting, avoid taking a seat at the table, but wait until you are told where to sit. During the meeting, it’s important and polite to keep eye contact at all times. It is worth remembering that the French like their business documents to be precise and formal. You should also address people respectfully round the business table as the French value respect for authority.

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