Telework in the Public Service
Verified 23 April 2024 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
Additional cases ?
Are you a public official and want to know if you can telework? Want to know your rights and obligations when you're teleworking? We're here to talk about the rules for telework in the public service. They differ depending on whether you are in the State (SOE) or Territorial (FPT) Public Service or Hospital (HPF) Public Service.
EPF
Telework is a form of work organization that allows you to work outside of your regular work space using information and communication technologies.
Telework is set up at your request.
However, in exceptional circumstances, teleworking may also be carried out at the request of the administration in order to ensure continuity of the public service and the protection of staff.
Warning
Periods of standby duty (i.e. periods during which you must stay at home, at the disposal of your administration) and interventions during a standby duty do not constitute telework.
You can carry out part of your activity by teleworking, whether you are a public servant or a contractor, if this activity can be carried out remotely, using computer tools.
The conditions for setting up telework are laid down by ministerial decree.
This Order sets out the following points:
- Activities which may be carried out by teleworking
- List and location of any professional premises made available by the administration for the exercise of teleworking functions, number of workstations available and equipment
- Rules to be observed on the security of information systems and data protection
- Working time, safety and health protection rules
- Conditions for access at the place of telework to bodies responsible for ensuring the correct application of health and safety rules
- Conditions for monitoring and recording working time
- Conditions for the management to bear the costs directly arising from the exercise of telework (hardware, software, subscriptions, communications, tools, maintenance of this equipment)
- Training conditions for equipment and tools necessary for teleworking
- Conditions for issuing the certificate of conformity of the installations with the technical specifications if you are teleworking at home or in another private place
Regular or occasional telework
Telework authorization may be granted for a regular or ad hoc recourse telework.
It may provide for the allocation of fixed telework days during the week or month.
You can inform your supervisor of your need to come onsite on a day for which you are authorized to telework and request to relocate that day.
If it is necessary or easy to organize or carry out your work, you can decide to carry out your activities in your workplace.
Your administration may ask you to inform your supervisor.
The telework authorization may also provide for the allocation of a number of floating telework days per week, per month, or per year that you can request from your line manager.
The same telework authorization may provide for these different possibilities.
Where can I telework?
You can telework from home or another private location or other business premises (such as a telecentre).
The same telework authorization may provide for these different possibilities.
Allowed number of telework days
The maximum number of teleworking days is set at 3 days per week for a full-time employee.
The number of working days in the department or usual premises may not be less than 2.
These thresholds can be calculated on a monthly basis.
However, if your health or disability justifies it, you can request to telework more than 3 days a week, for a maximum of 6 renewable months, after consulting the occupational doctor.
You can also request to telework more than 3 days a week in the following cases:
- During your pregnancy
- If you meet the conditions for a caregiving leave
- Temporarily due to an exceptional situation disrupting access to the service or work on site
Hardware
Your employer's administration pays for the costs that arise directly from the exercise of your telework duties: hardware, software, subscriptions, communications and tools.
Your employer administration also maintains the equipment.
The conditions for this take-over are defined by ministerial decree.
The administration is not obliged to cover the cost of renting space for telework (in the case of telework).
If you are disabled, the administration can make the necessary job adjustments at your telework location.
However, these adjustments must not lead to expenditure which is disproportionate to the financial assistance available to the administration.
If you request the use of floating telework days or request temporary telework, the administration may authorize you to use your personal computer equipment.
Demand
You must submit your telework request in writing.
You must specify the desired conditions for telework: regular or ad hoc recourse, place(s) of telework, number of days desired.
If you wish to telework at home or in another private location, you must provide a certificate of conformity of the installations to the technical specifications.
If you change functions, you must submit a new telework request.
Administration review of your application
Your employer administration will consider whether your request is compatible with the nature of your business and the interest of the service.
Your administration will notify you in writing of its decision within one month of the date of receipt of your request.
When your administration organizes a census of applications campaign, it responds within one month of the application deadline.
Decision of the administration
Acceptance
The authorization to work from home may provide for an adjustment period of up to 3 months.
The authorization shall contain the following information:
- Functions exercised in teleworking
- Location(s) of telework
- Conditions for the implementation of telework and, if applicable, the duration and time slots during which you carry out your telework activities, are available to your employer administration and can be reached, in accordance with your work cycle or the usual working hours
- Telework Start Date
The written authorization for telework is accompanied by an information document indicating the conditions of application of telework to your professional situation.
This document shall specify in particular the nature and operation of the arrangements for monitoring and recording your working time.
It also specifies the equipment available to you and their conditions of installation and return.
This document specifies the conditions of use, renewal and maintenance and the technical support provided by the administration.
The written authorization for telework shall also be accompanied by the following documents:
- Copy of the conditions for setting up telework laid down by ministerial order
- Document recalling your rights and obligations with regard to working time and health and safety
Refusal
If your administration refuses you telework, the refusal must be justified and preceded by an interview.
You can enter the HEADING: titleContent, if you are a public servant, or the CCP: titleContent, if you are a contractual person, in case of refusal to a 1re request or request for renewal of telework.
Working time
Your time and workload remain the same whether you are working on-site or working from home.
The maximum daily and weekly working hours, rest periods, breaks and the counting of working time are identical on-site and in telework.
Your supervisor shall, in consultation with you, determine the time slots during which he may contact you, in accordance with the working hours in force in your department.
In case of variable hours during the telework period, the call time slots are defined in the telework authorization.
During the annual assessment interview, your supervisor should have an exchange with you about the conditions of your telework activity and your workload.
Accident at work
You have the same rights and obligations as an officer who works on the premises of the administration.
An accident that occurs during telework hours and in the course of your telework duties is considered to be an accident at work.
An accident may be considered as a journey accident in the following situations:
- Trip between home and work (if your work location is different from home), including detours for everyday needs (drop off and pick up of children, etc.)
- Trip between your telework location and the service, in case of temporary exceptional return to your service on a telework day
- Commute between your telework location and your usual food service location during the working day
Support of your costs
You are entitled to an allowance to help reimburse costs incurred as a result of telework.
This allowance takes the form of a lump sum allowance called telework package.
The telework package can be paid to you if you telework in a telecentre, provided that the telecentre does not offer a catering service funded by your employer's administration.
The amount of the telework package is set at €2.88 per day of telework carried out up to €253.44 per year (i.e. 88 days paid).
By way of derogation, in 2024 the amount of the telework package shall be set at €2.88 per day of telework carried out up to €282.24 (i.e. 98 days compensated).
The telework package is paid at the end of each quarter.
The telework package is paid on the basis of the number of telework days you have requested and authorized.
Where appropriate, it may be adjusted on the basis of the days of telework actually carried out during the year.
This regularization takes place at the end of 1er quarter of the following year.
Meal costs
Your meal expenses on teleworked days are at your expense.
However, if you work remotely by telecentre, your employer administration may arrange a specific agreement with an administrative restaurant near your telecentre.
If your employer authority awards restaurant titles, you benefit, when you are teleworking, from these restaurant titles.
Telework may be terminated at any time, in writing, at your request or at the initiative of your employer's administration, respecting a 2-month advance notice period.
When your jurisdiction terminates telework, the advance notice may be reduced in the event of service requirement motivated.
The interruption of telework at the initiative of the administration must be justified and preceded by an interview.
When telework is terminated during the adjustment period, the notice period is 1 month.
If you request an end to telework, you can still reapply for telework at a later time.
FPT
Telework is a form of work organization that allows you to work outside of your regular work space using information and communication technologies.
Telework is set up at your request.
However, in exceptional circumstances, teleworking may also be carried out at the request of the administration in order to ensure continuity of the public service and the protection of staff.
Warning
Periods of standby duty (i.e. periods during which you must stay at home, at the disposal of your administration) and interventions during a standby duty do not constitute telework.
You can carry out part of your activity by teleworking, whether you are a public servant or a contractor, if this activity can be carried out remotely, using computer tools.
The conditions for setting up telework shall be laid down by deliberation.
This deliberation shall set out the following points:
- Activities which may be carried out by teleworking
- List and location of any professional premises made available by the administration for the exercise of teleworking functions, number of workstations available and equipment
- Rules to be observed on the security of information systems and data protection
- Working time, safety and health protection rules
- Conditions for access at the place of telework to bodies responsible for ensuring the correct application of health and safety rules
- Conditions for monitoring and recording working time
- Conditions for the management to bear the costs directly arising from the exercise of telework (hardware, software, subscriptions, communications, tools, maintenance of this equipment)
- Training conditions for equipment and tools necessary for teleworking
- Conditions for issuing the certificate of conformity of the installations with the technical specifications if you are teleworking at home or in another private place
Regular or occasional telework
Telework authorization may be granted for a regular or ad hoc recourse telework.
It may provide for the allocation of fixed telework days during the week or month.
You can inform your supervisor of your need to come onsite on a day for which you are authorized to telework and request to relocate that day.
If it is necessary or easy to organize or carry out your work, you can decide to carry out your activities in your workplace.
Your administration may ask you to inform your supervisor.
The telework authorization may also provide for the allocation of a number of floating telework days per week, per month, or per year that you can request from your line manager.
The same telework authorization may provide for these different possibilities.
Where can I telework?
You can telework from home or another private location or other business premises (such as a telecentre).
The same telework authorization may provide for these different possibilities.
Allowed number of telework days
The maximum number of teleworking days is set at 3 days per week for a full-time employee.
The number of working days in the department or usual premises may not be less than 2.
These thresholds can be calculated on a monthly basis.
However, if your health or disability justifies it, you can request to telework more than 3 days a week, for a maximum of 6 renewable months, after consulting the occupational doctor.
You can also request to telework more than 3 days a week in the following cases:
- During your pregnancy
- If you meet the conditions for a caregiving leave
- Temporarily due to an exceptional situation disrupting access to the service or work on site
Hardware
Your employer's administration pays for the costs that arise directly from the exercise of your telework duties: hardware, software, subscriptions, communications and tools.
Your employer administration also maintains the equipment.
The conditions for this take-over are defined by ministerial decree.
The administration is not obliged to cover the cost of renting space for telework (in the case of telework).
If you are disabled, the administration can make the necessary job adjustments at your telework location.
However, these adjustments must not lead to expenditure which is disproportionate to the financial assistance available to the administration.
If you request the use of floating telework days or request temporary telework, the administration may authorize you to use your personal computer equipment.
Demand
You must submit your telework request in writing.
You must specify the desired conditions for telework: regular or ad hoc recourse, place(s) of telework, number of days desired.
If you wish to telework at home or in another private location, you must provide a certificate of conformity of the installations to the technical specifications.
If you change functions, you must submit a new telework request.
Administration review of your application
Your employer community will consider whether your application is consistent with the nature of your business and the value of the service.
Your community will notify you in writing of its decision within one month of receiving your application.
When your community runs a census campaign, it responds within one month of the application deadline.
Decision of the administration
Acceptance
The authorization to work from home may provide for an adjustment period of up to 3 months.
The authorization shall contain the following information:
- Functions exercised in teleworking
- Location(s) of telework
- Conditions for the implementation of telework and, if applicable, the duration and time slots during which you carry out your telework activities, are available to your employer administration and can be reached, in accordance with your work cycle or the usual working hours
- Telework Start Date
The written authorization for telework is accompanied by an information document indicating the conditions of application of telework to your professional situation.
This document shall specify in particular the nature and operation of the arrangements for monitoring and recording your working time.
It also specifies the equipment available to you and their conditions of installation and return.
This document specifies the conditions of use, renewal and maintenance and the technical support provided by the administration.
The written authorization for telework shall also be accompanied by the following documents:
- Copy of the conditions for setting up telework laid down by ministerial order
- Document recalling your rights and obligations with regard to working time and health and safety
Refusal
If your administration refuses you telework, the refusal must be justified and preceded by an interview.
You can enter the HEADING: titleContent, if you are a public servant, or the CCP: titleContent, if you are a contractual person, in case of refusal to a 1re request or request for renewal of telework.
Working time
Your time and workload remain the same whether you are working on-site or working from home.
The maximum daily and weekly working hours, rest periods, breaks and the counting of working time are identical on-site and in telework.
Your supervisor shall, in consultation with you, determine the time slots during which he may contact you, in accordance with the working hours in force in your department.
In case of variable hours during the telework period, the call time slots are defined in the telework authorization.
During the annual assessment interview, your supervisor should have an exchange with you about the conditions of your telework activity and your workload.
Accident at work
You have the same rights and obligations as an officer who works on the premises of the administration.
An accident that occurs during telework hours and in the course of your telework duties is considered to be an accident at work.
An accident may be considered as a journey accident in the following situations:
- Trip between home and work (if your work location is different from home), including detours for everyday needs (drop off and pick up of children, etc.)
- Trip between your telework location and the service, in case of temporary exceptional return to your service on a telework day
- Commute between your telework location and your usual food service location during the working day
Support of your costs
You are entitled to an allowance to help reimburse costs incurred as a result of telework.
This allowance takes the form of a lump sum allowance called telework package.
The telework package can be paid to you if you telework in a telecentre, provided that the telecentre does not offer a catering service funded by your employer's administration.
The amount of the telework package is set at €2.88 per day of telework carried out up to €253.44 per year (i.e. 88 days paid).
By way of derogation, in 2024 the amount of the telework package shall be set at €2.88 per day of telework carried out up to €282.24 (i.e. 98 days compensated).
The telework package is paid at the end of each quarter.
The telework package is paid on the basis of the number of telework days you have requested and authorized.
Where appropriate, it may be adjusted on the basis of the days of telework actually carried out during the year.
This regularization takes place at the end of 1er quarter of the following year.
Meal costs
Your meal expenses on teleworked days are at your expense.
However, if you work remotely by telecentre, your employer administration may arrange a specific agreement with an administrative restaurant near your telecentre.
If your employer authority awards restaurant titles, you benefit, when you are teleworking, from these restaurant titles.
Telework may be terminated at any time, in writing, at your request or at the initiative of your employer's administration, respecting a 2-month advance notice period.
When your jurisdiction terminates telework, the advance notice may be reduced in the event of service requirement motivated.
The interruption of telework at the initiative of the administration must be justified and preceded by an interview.
When telework is terminated during the adjustment period, the notice period is 1 month.
If you request an end to telework, you can still reapply for telework at a later time.
FPH
Telework is a form of work organization that allows you to work outside of your regular work space using information and communication technologies.
Telework is set up at your request.
However, in exceptional circumstances, teleworking may also be carried out at the request of the administration in order to ensure continuity of the public service and the protection of staff.
Warning
Periods of standby duty (i.e. periods during which you must stay at home, at the disposal of your administration) and interventions during a standby duty do not constitute telework.
You can carry out part of your activity by teleworking, whether you are a public servant or a contractor, if this activity can be carried out remotely, using computer tools.
The conditions for setting up telework shall be laid down by decision of the head of establishment.
This Decision lays down the following points:
- Activities which may be carried out by teleworking
- List and location of any professional premises made available by the administration for the exercise of teleworking functions, number of workstations available and equipment
- Rules to be observed on the security of information systems and data protection
- Working time, safety and health protection rules
- Conditions for access at the place of telework to bodies responsible for ensuring the correct application of health and safety rules
- Conditions for monitoring and recording working time
- Conditions for the management to bear the costs directly arising from the exercise of telework (hardware, software, subscriptions, communications, tools, maintenance of this equipment)
- Training conditions for equipment and tools necessary for teleworking
- Conditions for issuing the certificate of conformity of the installations with the technical specifications if you are teleworking at home or in another private place
For management staff managed by the National Management Center, the decision shall be taken by the following authority:
- Institutional head for assistant directors and directors of care
- Director-General of theARS: titleContent for heads of health institutions, heads ofEhpad: titleContent and heads of establishments caring for minors or adults with disabilities
- Prefect of the department for staff of other establishments
Regular or occasional telework
Telework authorization may be granted for a regular or ad hoc recourse telework.
It may provide for the allocation of fixed telework days during the week or month.
You can inform your supervisor of your need to come onsite on a day for which you are authorized to telework and request to relocate that day.
If it is necessary or easy to organize or carry out your work, you can decide to carry out your activities in your workplace.
Your administration may ask you to inform your supervisor.
The telework authorization may also provide for the allocation of a number of floating telework days per week, per month, or per year that you can request from your line manager.
The same telework authorization may provide for these different possibilities.
Where can I telework?
You can telework from home or another private location or other business premises (such as a telecentre).
The same telework authorization may provide for these different possibilities.
Allowed number of telework days
The maximum number of teleworking days is set at 3 days per week for a full-time employee.
The number of working days in the department or usual premises may not be less than 2.
These thresholds can be calculated on a monthly basis.
However, if your health or disability justifies it, you can request to telework more than 3 days a week, for a maximum of 6 renewable months, after consulting the occupational doctor.
You can also request to telework more than 3 days a week in the following cases:
- During your pregnancy
- If you meet the conditions for a caregiving leave
- Temporarily due to an exceptional situation disrupting access to the service or work on site
Hardware
Your employer's administration pays for the costs that arise directly from the exercise of your telework duties: hardware, software, subscriptions, communications and tools.
Your employer administration also maintains the equipment.
The conditions for this take-over are defined by ministerial decree.
The administration is not obliged to cover the cost of renting space for telework (in the case of telework).
If you are disabled, the administration can make the necessary job adjustments at your telework location.
However, these adjustments must not lead to expenditure which is disproportionate to the financial assistance available to the administration.
If you request the use of floating telework days or request temporary telework, the administration may authorize you to use your personal computer equipment.
Demand
You must submit your telework request in writing.
You must specify the desired conditions for telework: regular or ad hoc recourse, place(s) of telework, number of days desired.
If you wish to telework at home or in another private location, you must provide a certificate of conformity of the installations to the technical specifications.
If you change functions, you must submit a new telework request.
Review by the administration
Your employing institution will consider the compatibility of your application with the nature of your business and the value of the service.
For management personnel managed by the National Management Center, this review shall be carried out by the following authority:
- Institutional head for assistant directors and directors of care
- Director-General of theARS: titleContent for heads of health institutions, heads ofEhpad: titleContent and heads of establishments caring for minors or adults with disabilities
- Prefect of the department for staff of other establishments
Your employing institution will notify you in writing of its decision within one month of the date of receipt of your request.
When your institution organizes a census campaign, it responds within one month of the application deadline.
Decision of the administration
Acceptance
The authorization to work from home may provide for an adjustment period of up to 3 months.
The authorization shall contain the following information:
- Functions exercised in teleworking
- Location(s) of telework
- Conditions for the implementation of telework and, if applicable, the duration and time slots during which you carry out your telework activities, are available to your employer administration and can be reached, in accordance with your work cycle or the usual working hours
- Telework Start Date
The written authorization for telework is accompanied by an information document indicating the conditions of application of telework to your professional situation.
This document shall specify in particular the nature and operation of the arrangements for monitoring and recording your working time.
It also specifies the equipment available to you and their conditions of installation and return.
This document specifies the conditions of use, renewal and maintenance and the technical support provided by the administration.
The written authorization for telework shall also be accompanied by the following documents:
- Copy of the conditions for setting up telework laid down by ministerial order
- Document recalling your rights and obligations with regard to working time and health and safety
Refusal
If your administration refuses you telework, the refusal must be justified and preceded by an interview.
You can enter the HEADING: titleContent, if you are a public servant, or the CCP: titleContent, if you are a contractual person, in case of refusal to a 1re request or request for renewal of telework.
Working time
Your time and workload remain the same whether you are working on-site or working from home.
The maximum daily and weekly working hours, rest periods, breaks and the counting of working time are identical on-site and in telework.
Your supervisor shall, in consultation with you, determine the time slots during which he may contact you, in accordance with the working hours in force in your department.
In case of variable hours during the telework period, the call time slots are defined in the telework authorization.
During the annual assessment interview, your supervisor should have an exchange with you about the conditions of your telework activity and your workload.
Accident at work
You have the same rights and obligations as an officer who works on the premises of the administration.
An accident that occurs during telework hours and in the course of your telework duties is considered to be an accident at work.
An accident may be considered as a journey accident in the following situations:
- Trip between home and work (if your work location is different from home), including detours for everyday needs (drop off and pick up of children, etc.)
- Trip between your telework location and the service, in case of temporary exceptional return to your service on a telework day
- Commute between your telework location and your usual food service location during the working day
Support of your costs
You are entitled to an allowance to help reimburse costs incurred as a result of telework.
This allowance takes the form of a lump sum allowance called telework package.
The telework package can be paid to you if you telework in a telecentre, provided that the telecentre does not offer a catering service funded by your employer's administration.
The amount of the telework package is set at €2.88 per day of telework carried out up to €253.44 per year (i.e. 88 days paid).
By way of derogation, in 2024 the amount of the telework package shall be set at €2.88 per day of telework carried out up to €282.24 (i.e. 98 days compensated).
The telework package is paid at the end of each quarter.
The telework package is paid on the basis of the number of telework days you have requested and authorized.
Where appropriate, it may be adjusted on the basis of the days of telework actually carried out during the year.
This regularization takes place at the end of 1er quarter of the following year.
Meal costs
Your meal expenses on teleworked days are at your expense.
However, if you work remotely by telecentre, your employer administration may arrange a specific agreement with an administrative restaurant near your telecentre.
If your employer authority awards restaurant titles, you benefit, when you are teleworking, from these restaurant titles.
Telework may be terminated at any time, in writing, at your request or at the initiative of your employer's administration, respecting a 2-month advance notice period.
When your jurisdiction terminates telework, the advance notice may be reduced in the event of service requirement motivated.
The interruption of telework at the initiative of the administration must be justified and preceded by an interview.
When telework is terminated during the adjustment period, the notice period is 1 month.
If you request an end to telework, you can still reapply for telework at a later time.
Ministry of Public Service