Working time management is a crucial element in professional life. In France, the notion of 151.67 hours per month is an essential reference for understanding and organizing working time. Let’s delve into the details of this monthly basis and analyze its impact on remuneration and work organization.
Deciphering 151.67 hours per month
The 151.67 hours per month represents the average working time for a full-time job in France. Far from being arbitrary, this figure is the result of a precise calculation based on the legal working week of 35 hours. Here’s how we arrive at this number:
- 35 hours per week
- 52 weeks a year
- 12 months a year
The calculation is as follows: (35 x 52) / 12 = 151.67 hours. This flat-rate basis means that remuneration is smoothed out over the year, irrespective of the actual number of days worked each month. Over a year, this is equivalent to 1,820 hours worked (151.67 x 12).
It is essential to note that this monthly system offers several advantages:
- Stability of monthly salary
- Simplified payroll calculations
- Greater budget predictability for both employer and employee
Effective working time is defined as the period during which the employee is at the employer’s disposal and complies with the employer’s instructions. On the other hand, certain times of the day are generally not counted:
| Included in working time | Excluded from working time |
|---|---|
| Production time | Breaks |
| Meetings | Dressing time |
| Mandatory training | Commuting time |
Overtime and legal framework
Since the legal working week in France is 35 hours, any hour worked in excess of this is considered overtime. These hours are paid at a higher rate:
- The first 8 hours of overtime: +25
- More than 8 hours overtime: +50%.
The legislator has set an annual overtime quota of 220 hours per employee. This quota makes it possible to regulate the use of overtime while offering companies a degree of flexibility.
There are also maximum working hours to be respected:
- 10 hours per day
- 48 hours per week
These limits are designed to protect workers’ health and safety, by guaranteeing adequate rest periods. Louis Blanc, a 19th-century French politician, was one of the first to campaign for shorter working hours, thereby contributing to the development of French labor law.
Adaptations and special cases of working time
Although 151.67 hours per month is the norm, there are many adaptations to meet the specific needs of companies and employees. Part-time work is a common example:
For a part-time job, the calculation is prorated: 151.67 / 2 = 75.835 hours per month
Some companies opt for special working time arrangements:
- Annualization: unequal distribution of hours over the year
- Modulation: variation of working hours according to activity
- Forfait jours: counting in days rather than hours
These arrangements offer greater flexibility, while respecting the legal framework. The annual reference working time is set at 1607 hours, including the 7-hour solidarity day introduced by Jean-Pierre Raffarin in 2004.
To manage these different configurations efficiently, many companies use time management software. These tools enable precise tracking of hours worked, making it easier to comply with legislation and optimize work organization.
Impact on remuneration and salary calculation
The 151.67-hour monthly base plays a central role in salary calculation. It is used to determine the hourly rate from the gross monthly salary:
Hourly rate = Gross monthly salary / 151.67
This hourly rate is essential for calculating remuneration for overtime, paid vacations and absences. It also serves as a reference for part-time employees.
In some cases, the pay slip may not explicitly show the 151.67 hours:
- Employees on fixed-day contracts
- Executives on fixed-hour contracts for the year
- Specific contracts in certain sectors (hotels, restaurants)
It’s crucial to understand that, even if these 151.67 hours are not always visible, they remain the basis for calculating many payroll items. Collective and company agreements may contain special provisions, but must always respect the legal framework.
Understanding the hourly base is essential for employees and employers alike. It helps to ensure that pay is fair and that everyone’s rights are respected. In a context where the debate on working hours remains topical, mastering these concepts will help you to better grasp the issues linked to work organization and remuneration.