Managing holidays in bakeries and patisseries is a major challenge for artisans and professionals in the sector. Due to the nature of their business, they often face unique challenges related to opening their establishments during holidays. How can they comply with legislation while meeting customer needs? In this guide, we will explore the specific rules governing these days, working conditions, employee rights, and much more to enable everyone to optimize their operational management.
This guide is intended for both professionals and enthusiasts who wish to understand the workings of this fascinating sector. We will cover the various specificities of holidays, the regularity of schedules, the economic impacts, as well as practical advice to ensure efficient and beneficial management for all parties concerned. Ready to dive into the world of holidays in bakeries and patisseries? Let’s go!
The specificities of public holidays in bakery
The bakery and pastry sector is marked by its own rules regarding public holidays. Indeed, the collective agreement of the sector imposes regulations that are added to the general framework of the Labor Code. To better understand the subject, it is crucial to know the different public holidays recognized in France, as well as their implications for workers in the sector.
Public holidays recognized in France
In France, there are 11 legal public holidays each year. Here is the list of public holidays, which apply to all sectors, including bakery and pastry:
- January 1: New Year’s Day
- Easter Monday
- May 1: Labor Day
- May 8: Victory Day 1945
- Ascension Thursday
- Whit Monday
- July 14: National Day
- August 15: Assumption
- November 1: All Saints’ Day
- November 11: Armistice Day 1918
- December 25: Christmas
Regions with additional public holidays
It is important to note that some regions in France benefit from specific public holidays. For example, Alsace-Moselle has two additional days:
- December 26: Saint Stephen’s Day
- Good Friday: observed in certain municipalities
The overseas departments also have separate public holidays to commemorate historical events, which can impact bakeries in these regions. Employers must therefore ensure that they adapt their schedules for these local specificities in order to comply with regulatory requirements.
Employee work during public holidays
The question of whether an employee must work on a public holiday is crucial for employers in the sector. For May 1st, it is imperative to take this day off, unless there is a need that would justify exceptional work. However, for other public holidays, the decision remains at the discretion of the employer and is governed by the collective agreement.
May 1st: an essential public holiday
May 1st is a legally non-working public holiday. However, artisanal bakeries often face an influx of customers on this day, opting to open while respecting the specificities of remuneration. The work carried out on this day must be paid at double rate, thus respecting the rights of employees. Furthermore, it is not recommended to force an employee to work on this day without adequate compensation.
Other public holidays: flexible management
For other public holidays, the employer can choose to open or close the establishment. The collective agreement allows great flexibility by granting rights to employees, depending on whether the day is off or worked. Employers must also take into consideration the choices of employees, taking into account everyone’s schedules and availability.
Pay for public holidays worked
The question of the remuneration for public holidays worked is subject to specific rules depending on the type of establishment. For example, for an artisanal bakery, the salary must be doubled for work carried out on May 1, while for an industrial bakery, an increase of 115% is often applied.
Remuneration conditions
It is essential for employers to understand public holiday pay arrangements. In an artisanal bakery, an employee working on a public holiday must benefit from 2 consecutive days of compensatory rest, while in an industrial bakery, the conditions may vary, ranging from the usual remuneration to additional compensation.
| Type of establishment | Public holiday pay | Compensatory rest |
| Artisanal bakery | Double | 2 consecutive days |
| Industrial bakery | 115% increased | Rest according to duration worked |
Optimize public holiday management
Managing public holidays in bakeries also involves implementing an effective organizational method. This is all the more important during busy periods.
Planning of schedules
For optimal management, it is recommended to develop schedules in advance, especially for public holidays. Employers can use digital tools or management software to plan employee absences and availability, thereby reducing potential conflicts. For example, Factorial offers tailored solutions to help businesses manage this complexity.
Use of digital tools
Modern digital tools are essential for gathering all information regarding public holidays and schedules. By automating part of this management, bakeries can concentrate on their core activity while respecting legal specifications. Additionally, it facilitates communication between employees and management, as shown in this article.
Frequently asked questions about public holidays
It is normal to ask questions about the rules governing public holidays in bakeries. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions and their answers:
Is it possible to open a bakery on May 1st?
Yes, although the May 1 is unemployed, bakeries can open due to their essential activity. However, any employee working this day must be paid double.
What are the conditions for working on a public holiday?
Working conditions during public holidays must be clear and respectful of employee rights. Workers must be informed of their rights, including compensation related to public holidays worked.
What salary increase for a public holiday worked?
Depending on the sector of activity, the salary increase may vary. In artisanal bakeries, working on a public holiday will generally award double the salary, while for other sectors or industrial bakeries, the increase may be different.
Use of scheduling management software in bakeries
To increase efficiency when managing public holidays, the adoption of management software is strongly recommended. This simplifies the planning, monitoring and management of work schedules.
The advantages of management software
This software allows for better visibility of schedules and automatically integrates recognized public holidays. This means less paperwork, better managed absences and a more satisfied team. In addition, they ensure compliance with existing regulations.
The importance of communication
Finally, these tools promote communication between employees and management, allowing everyone to express their preferences and requests. This contributes to a better working atmosphere and monitoring of individual rights.
FAQ: Your questions on public holidays in bakery and pastry making
Do public holidays impact vacation planning?
Yes, public holidays must be taken into account when planning vacations. Any public holiday during a vacation period must not be deducted from paid vacation days.
How to manage conflicts related to public holidays?
It is important to establish clear rules before holidays to prevent conflicts. A prior meeting with employees to discuss work schedules on public holidays is also crucial.
What advice for successful management of public holidays?
It is recommended to plan early, communicate regularly with the team and use digital tools to simplify the management of availability and work schedules.