Apple Stores in France banned from forcing employees to work late

[techbeck]

A Paris court this week banned seven French Apple Stores from forcing employees to work night shifts, in response to a complaint filed by a group of national labor unions. As the AFP reports, the court also ordered Apple to pay ?10,000 in damages to the unions who filed the suit, stating that the company would face an additional fine of ?50,000 for every subsequent infraction.

According to French labor laws, companies can only require employees to work between the hours of 9PM and 6AM if they prove that doing so is necessary to maintain economic activity or to provide social services. The Apple Stores in question ? including the outlet at l'Op?ra in Paris ? all officially close their doors at 9PM, but employees are often required to stay as late as 11PM in order to shut down and clean the facilities.

"We are asking only that the law be respected.

The CFTC, one of the six unions that filed the suit, hailed Tuesday's decision as a "severe condamnation" of the practices in place at French Apple stores, telling the AFP that it underscores the court's determination to respect the laws governing night employment. "We are asking only that the law be respected," added Thomas Bordage of the labor union SUD.

A higher court in France is expected to hand down another decision on this case on April 16th.

http://www.theverge.com/2013/3/13/4098052/french-judge-bans-apple-store-employees-from-working-nights

[FloatingFatMan]

So, now they'll just make them come in at 6am to clean up instead of their usual 8 or 9.

[Knife Party]

for some people it's hard to imagine not prioritizing work or any economic model as a means to stay productive.....The French clearly think working is a part of life, but shouldn't dominate one's time. To think about it, slaving away at a job when most can live comfortable is a shame really, people are just fooled into thinking longing hours = success, or more money or that it's somehow better for everyone,. which its not. Life should more be about family than a company or organisation. Anyways, it is a law, so Apple should comply, end of story.

[Growled Member]

Anyways, it is a law, so Apple should comply, end of story.

Exactly. It doesn't matter whether they agree with it or not.

[Xilo]

I wonder how businesses actually make money in France given that employees never work.

[theyarecomingforyou]

I wonder how businesses actually make money in France given that employees never work.

I think France has a much better work-life balance than countries like the US or the UK. People shouldn't be slaves to corporations.

[Som]

I wonder how businesses actually make money in France given that employees never work.

well american's do like thier slave labour :p .... too soon?. seriously though what is the point of working all the time, life is for living

[FloatingFatMan]

I think France has a much better work-life balance than countries like the US or the UK. People shouldn't be slaves to corporations.

Come and live within "Operation Stack" range of the south coast ports and then say that. :p 90 sodding minutes to do a 10 minute drive yesterday...

[Hum]

Wonder how they get restaurant workers ...

[Growled Member]

Wonder how they get restaurant workers ...

They probably use illegal aliens, like we do. :p