Rivermate | Guadeloupe flag

Guadeloupe

Working Hours and Overtime Regulations

Understand the laws governing work hours and overtime in Guadeloupe

Standard working hours

In Guadeloupe, a French overseas territory, the standard working hours are governed by French metropolitan labor laws.

The legal workweek, as defined by the French Labor Code, sets the maximum workweek at 35 hours. This is the total number of hours an employee can work within a seven-day period. It's important to note that this is the maximum allowable limit. The actual working hours might be lower depending on individual employment contracts or collective bargaining agreements.

While the legal workweek establishes a maximum, there's no legal mandate for a specific daily working schedule. However, there is a regulation that no employee can be required to work for more than 10 hours in a single day. This ensures reasonable daily rest periods even within a longer workweek permitted by law.

There can be exceptions to the standard working hours in specific situations. For instance, industry-specific agreements negotiated between employers and employee organizations might establish different working hour arrangements. These agreements can define variations in daily or weekly working hours as long as they comply with the maximum limits.

Some employers might offer flexible work schedules allowing variations in daily or weekly working hours. However, these flexible arrangements must still adhere to the maximum working hour limitations and be agreed upon by the employee.

Overtime

In Guadeloupe, overtime work is regulated by French labor laws. Overtime work is defined as any hours worked beyond the legal workweek of 35 hours. While employers can request overtime work, employees have the right to refuse such requests unless stipulated otherwise in a collective bargaining agreement. The total amount of overtime work allowed per employee in a year is capped at 150 hours.

The compensation for overtime work varies depending on the specific hours worked. For overtime hours worked within the standard workday, employees are entitled to an increase of at least 25% of their regular hourly wage. Overtime work performed during nighttime hours requires a higher compensation rate, with a minimum increase of 50% of the regular hourly wage. Collective bargaining agreements may establish different overtime compensation rates, potentially offering more favorable terms for employees in specific sectors.

There can be exceptions to the standard overtime regulations in specific situations. In urgent situations where exceeding the overtime limits is deemed unavoidable, a reduced overtime pay rate of 60% may be authorized by the labor authorities. However, strong justification is required for such authorization. Certain sectors or professions might have exemptions outlined in specific regulations or collective agreements. It's crucial for employees to be aware of any industry-specific regulations that might apply to their situation.

Rest periods and breaks

In Guadeloupe, a French overseas territory, French metropolitan labor laws are followed for worker entitlements to rest periods and breaks. These regulations are referenced from the French Labor Code (Code du travail).

Every 24-hour period must include at least 11 consecutive hours of rest for the employee. This ensures sufficient recovery time for employees. There can be limited exceptions to the 11-hour rest period requirement. Collective bargaining agreements may establish reduced rest periods in specific industries, as long as the minimum rest duration doesn't fall below 9 hours.

All employees are entitled to a minimum daily rest break of 20 minutes if their daily working hours exceed 6 hours. If the daily working hours surpass 9 hours, employees are entitled to an additional 20-minute break. This allows for extended rest periods with longer workdays. Rest breaks are generally considered unpaid time. However, collective bargaining agreements might establish exceptions for specific sectors.

Employees working overtime are entitled to rest periods during their extended shift. The specific duration of these breaks is typically determined through collective agreements or established company policies. By understanding these entitlements, employees in Guadeloupe can ensure they receive adequate rest periods and breaks throughout their workday, promoting well-being and preventing fatigue.

Night shift and weekend regulations

In Guadeloupe, which adheres to French metropolitan labor laws, there are specific regulations for night shifts and weekend work. These regulations are often referenced from the French Labor Code (Code du travail).

Night work is typically defined through collective bargaining agreements. These agreements often establish specific night shift hours. Regular overtime pay rates apply to night work, with a minimum increase of 50% of the regular hourly wage. This provides an incentive for working non-standard hours. Employers have a legal obligation to ensure the health and safety of night shift workers. This includes measures to mitigate potential health risks associated with night work schedules, such as ergonomic considerations or access to on-site medical services.

Weekend work refers to any work performed outside the standard working days. Weekend work generally falls under overtime work regulations. However, some collective agreements might establish specific compensation premiums for weekend work that could be higher than regular overtime rates. Similar to overtime work, employees generally have the right to refuse weekend work requests unless stipulated otherwise in a collective agreement.

Rivermate | A 3d rendering of earth

Hire your employees globally with confidence

We're here to help you on your global hiring journey.