Will Monday's Pentecost potentially lead to a pay cut in June for you?
Tuesday, June 9, 2025 is labeled as a Solidarity Day, but don't let that fool you into thinking it's a vacation day. First coined in 2004, this day aims to fund initiatives promoting the independence of the elderly and disabled. Companies are expected to contribute the "solidarity autonomy contribution" to the government instead of paying their employees for this day, as stated by Actu.fr. In essence, this Solidarity Day amounts to an unpaid, extra day of work which can be substituted for a different holiday, excluding May 1st, like Pentecost Monday.
Although it's unpaid, this doesn't mean your take-home pay for June will decrease compared to other months. The additional seven hours worked are distributed evenly across the year, so while you're working more hours, you won't notice a decrease in your salary for this unpaid day. Don't worry about a dip in your paycheck - as long as you're clocking in today, your wages will remain the same.
So, what's the deal with schools? Will the kiddos be studying on Pentecost Monday?
Some businesses may grant this day to their employees
This Solidarity Day can be fulfilled by foregoing a day of RTT (Reduction of Activity Time) or in any other way that amounts to seven hours of previously unworked time. Companies have the freedom to choose how they implement this requirement. Some businesses might opt to grant this day off to their employees, in which case they wouldn't need to work or take a day off.
For instance, Actu.fr is making this Solidarity Day count. The journalists are clocking in as usual today, owing to service demand. However, the administrative staff must take a day off, either as RTT or CP (Conge Paidannal, or paid leave).
Curious about how your salary stacks up against the French?
On a related note...
- Businesses
- Employment
- Salary
- Given that companies have the freedom to choose how they implement the Solidarity Day requirement, some businesses might grant this unpaid day off to their employees, allowing them to have a day free from work.
- Some individuals may be curious about how their salary compares to the average French worker, as the distribution of the additional seven hours worked during the Solidarity Day across the year means that while you're working more hours, you won't notice a decrease in your salary for this unpaid day.
