When employing staff in France, particularly under the forfait jours (annual working days) arrangement, it is essential to understand both RTT days (Réduction du Temps de Travail) and the related compliance obligations, including the Annual Workload Review.
What is forfait jours?
Forfait jours is a specific working time arrangement under French labor law where employees work a fixed number of days per year (typically 218 days) instead of tracking weekly hours.
It generally applies to:
Employees with a high level of autonomy
Managerial or professional roles (cadres)
Positions where working time cannot be strictly predefined
This system is not optional and depends on the employee’s role, responsibilities, and classification.
To confirm whether an employee is under forfait jours, you should review the employment agreement, typically:
The working time clause (often Clause 4)
Reference to 218 working days per year
What are RTT days?
RTT days are additional rest days granted to employees whose working time exceeds the standard 35-hour workweek.
For employees on forfait jours:
Working time is measured in days, not hours
RTT days act as compensatory rest to ensure compliance with working time regulations and work-life balance
RTT days are separate from annual leave and do not replace statutory vacation entitlements.
Why do RTT days exist?
RTT days were introduced as part of French labor reforms to reduce overall working time while maintaining productivity.
For employees on annualized schedules like forfait jours, RTT days help ensure:
Reasonable workload distribution
Compliance with legal working time limits
Adequate rest periods
How are RTT days calculated?
For employees on a standard 218-day forfait jours contract (e.g. under Syntec CBA):
The total number of days in the year is adjusted by:
Weekends
Public holidays
Paid annual leave
The remaining days are split between worked days and RTT days
The number of RTT days typically ranges from 9 to 11 days per year, depending on:
The calendar year
Public holiday distribution
Company policy
How are RTT days managed?
RTT days are usually:
Calculated annually at the start of the year
Accrued progressively throughout the year (depending on company policy)
Tracked via the HR platform
Employees are expected to take RTT days within the calendar year.
Do RTT days expire?
Yes.
RTT days generally expire on December 31 of the current year
Untaken days are typically forfeited, unless otherwise agreed in writing
This differs from annual leave, which may carry over into the following year under certain conditions.
Are RTT days mandatory?
RTT days apply only if:
The employee is under a forfait jours arrangement, or
Their working time exceeds the 35-hour weekly threshold
If an employee is on a standard 35-hour contract:
RTT days do not apply
Overtime must be compensated in accordance with French labor law
Mandatory compliance: Annual Workload Review
In addition to RTT days, employees under forfait jours are subject to a key compliance requirement.
Under Article L3121-60 of the French Labor Code, employers must conduct an Annual Workload Interview (Entretien annuel sur la charge de travail).
This review ensures:
The employee’s workload remains reasonable
Rest periods are respected
The right to disconnect is upheld
Client responsibilities
As the entity managing the employee’s day-to-day activities, you are responsible for ensuring that:
The interview is conducted at least once per year
Workload, working time, and work-life balance are discussed
The outcome is documented in writing
The document is signed by both parties
Once completed:
The signed document must be uploaded to the platform or shared with the support team
The Employer of Record retains these records for compliance purposes
Compliance risks
Failure to comply with forfait jours obligations, including the Annual Workload Review, may result in:
The forfait jours arrangement being deemed invalid by French courts
Exposure to overtime claims and financial liabilities
Key takeaways
Forfait jours is a day-based working time system (typically 218 days/year)
RTT days are additional rest days to ensure compliance with working time laws
RTT days are separate from annual leave and usually expire at year-end
Employees under forfait jours must undergo an Annual Workload Review
Proper documentation is critical to avoid legal and financial risks