Paris
France has said a reluctant adieu to the 35-hour workweek. In 2000, when the Socialists were in power, the government shortened full-time working hours to 35 hours a week, in the hope that companies would have to hire more workers. But the unemployment rate remained more or less steady, at around 10 percent. And those who did have jobs didn’t get raises, as most companies froze salaries to make up for lost production. “The intention was to spread work around, but the effect was to spread our salaries around,” said Finance Minister Thierry Breton. The official workweek is now back up to 39 hours.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
Cautious optimism surrounds plans for the world's first nuclear fusion power plantTalking Point Some in the industry feel that the plant will face many challenges
-
2024: the year of Black country artistsIn the Spotlight Beyoncé debuted 'Cowboy Carter' at the top of the country charts, shining a spotlight on artists like Shaboozey
-
Explore new worlds this winter at these 6 enlightening museum exhibitionsThe Week Recommends Discover the estrados of Spain and the connection between art and chess in various African countries
