Economic, social, environmental and trade union training leave (CFESES)
Verified 27 August 2024 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
Are you an employee and would like to take part in economic, social and environmental training or trade union training? This leave exists, in particular, if you are called upon to exercise union responsibilities. The duration of this leave is limited. It shall be open without any condition as to seniority. We present you with the information you need to know.
This leave provides an opportunity to acquire economic, social, environmental or trade union knowledge to exercise trade union responsibilities (for example: within trade union organizations, consultative bodies, joint bargaining bodies).
Leave for economic, social, environmental and trade union training is open to all employees.
It doesn't matter if you're a union member or not.
Seniority does not have to be proven in order to qualify.
Please note
Jobseekers can participate in these training courses while receiving their allowances.
Training courses or sessions are conducted by
- Centers attached to trade unions of employees recognized as nationally representative
- Or specialized institutes.
A list of recognized organizations is available:
Please note
This list is valid until 2026.
You send a written request for leave of absence to your employer, preferably by registered letter with notice of receipt, at least 30 days front the beginning of the training.
The application shall specify the following information:
- Date
- Duration of requested absence
- Name of the organization responsible for the course or session.
The employer must grant you the leave unless he considers that your absence could have adverse consequences for the proper functioning of the company.
In this case, the employer must obtain the assent of the Social and Economic Committee (ESC).
If more than one employee requests to be absent simultaneously for economic, social, environmental and trade union training, the employer may defer certain requests:
- In establishments with more than 99 employees when the percentage of employees simultaneously absent on such leave reaches 2%
- In establishments with 25 to 99 employees where the number of employees simultaneously absent on such leave reaches 2%
- In establishments with less than 25 employees where an employee is absent on such leave.
In this case, the priority requests to be met shall be those which have already been deferred.
The refusal of the employer must be motivated. This refusal is yours notified in a 8-day period upon receipt of your request.
Please note
In the event of a dispute, the employer's refusal may be challenged before the labor council who decides the question.
In addition, there is a maximum number of days of leave that may be taken each year by all employees of the institution for this training. Above this maximum, the employer may postpone training.
Number of employees per establishment | Number of days |
1 to 24 | 12 (18 for facilitators and trade unionists) |
25 to 499 | + 12 days per additional 25 employees or fraction thereof |
500 to 999 | + 12 days per additional 50 employees or fraction thereof |
1,000 to 4,999 | + 12 days per additional 100 employees or fraction thereof |
Over 4,999 | + 12 days per additional 200 employees or fraction thereof |
Please note
Staff members and employees called upon to perform trade union functions may not benefit from more than 50 % of the leave taken in establishments with more than 49 employees.
The duration of the CFESES depends on your situation.
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General case
You can take one or more holidays up to 12 days per year.
The duration of each leave may not be less than half a day.
Please note
The days taken for the training leave for staff representatives are deducted from the CFESES time limit.
Facilitators of training courses and sessions
Facilitators of economic, social, environmental and trade union training courses and sessions may take one or more holidays up to 18 days per year.
The duration of each leave may not be less than half a day.
Please note
The days taken for the training leave for staff representatives shall be deducted from the time limit for leave for economic, social, environmental and trade union training.
Employees called upon to perform trade union functions
Employees called upon to perform trade union functions shall be entitled to Maximum 18 days of CFESES in the year as such.
Please note
The days taken for the training leave for staff representatives shall be deducted from the time limit for leave for economic, social, environmental and trade union training.
No, that training cannot take place during paid leave.
During this leave, you will benefit from the total holding of your remuneration by your employer.
During the training, your employment contract is suspended.
So, when you return to the company, you find your job or a similar job.
The period of leave shall, however, be treated as a period of actual work in particular for the calculation of paid leave and entitlement to social and family benefits.
Please note
You retain the same social protection and can benefit from the coverage of employees in training in the event of an accident during a traineeship or a journey.
At the end of the training, the training organization gives you a certificate.
It shall note the effective follow-up to the training course or session.
You give this certificate to your employer when you resume your activity.
Who can help me?
Find who can answer your questions in your region
Departmental Directorate for Employment, Labor and Solidarity (DDETS or DDETS-PP)
Search for DDETS on the interactive map by clicking on the department desired.
List of centers approved to provide training
Service-Public.fr