Figure: +8.7% – This is the increase in
the number of job seekers in Category A (unemployed individuals
required to actively search for work) in the first quarter of 2025
in France (excluding Mayotte), compared to +4.0% in the previous
quarter.
Statistics published by France Travail and DARES
(Directorate for Research, Studies and Statistics), on April 28,
2025, show a sharp rise, largely due to the automatic registration
of certain groups, such as RSA (Active Solidarity Income)
recipients and young people in training programs (CEJ, Pacea, AIJ),
following the implementation of the Full Employment Act.
However, this rise does not reflect the actual state of the labor
market. In fact, when adjusting to the effects of these new
registrations, the actual increase in Category A is only 0.8%.
Please Note :
- As of July 1, 2025, the use of the new secure CERFA form will become mandatory for submitting any sick leave notice in paper format. The Health Insurance authority has stated that all other formats will be systematically rejected. By incorporating seven authentication features such as a holographic label and magnetic ink, this new form aims to reduce the falsification of sick leave documents. (Ameli News, April 22, 2025)
- The decrees concerning the occupational accident and disease risk rating (non-agricultural sector) for the year 2025 have been published in the Official Journal on April 30, 2025!
The Court has Ruled:
Same job, new status: Is a probationary period still
valid?
According to Article L.1221-20 of the French Labor Code, the trial
period allows the employer to assess the employee's skills in
the job, particularly in light of their experience, and the
employee to determine whether the position suits them.
In this case, a sales agent had previously worked with a company as
an independent contractor. Later, the parties signed an employment
contract for a sales consultant position, which included a
two-month trial period.
The employee brought the case to labor court, arguing that the
trial period should be annulled, since she had already performed
the same duties as a self-employed worker before signing the
contract.
The Court of Cassation ruled that lower courts must determine
"whether the employer had already had the opportunity to
assess the employee's professional abilities during the
previous work relationship, regardless of its legal
form."
Thus, the Court deems the legal status of the prior working
relationship as secondary, highlighting that the expectations from
an independent contractor are not necessarily the same as for an
employee.
Cass. soc. April 29, 2025, no. 23-22.389
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
