How do the meetings of the Social and Economic Committee (ESC) take place?
Verified 18 December 2023 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
Where the employer has set up a Social and Economic Committee (ESC) in a company of 11 or more employees, it must meet periodically. Members of the ESC: titleContent may also apply to be received by the employer. We're doing an update on the regulations.
The rules differ according to the size of the company.
From 11 to 49 employees
Ordinary meetings
Members of the delegation of ESC: titleContent are received collectively by the employer or his representative at least Once a month for so-called ordinary.
It is possible to schedule more regular meetings by collective agreement or according to a company use, but under no circumstances to reduce the frequency of the latter.
Exceptional meetings
Of exceptional meetings may be requested by the members of the social and economic committee in the following cases:
- In the event of an emergency, they are received collectively
- Depending on the issues to be dealt with, they are received by the employer individually, by category, by workshop, service or professional specialty
Other meetings may be organized by the employer, in particular when he has to consult the ESC (for example in the event of a planned economic dismissal).
The employer shall fix the dates and times of the committee meetings. It shall bring this information to the attention of the members of the ESC by all means (e.g. by mail or electronic means).
Members of the committee may not object to the date fixed by the employer.
Regular meetings allow the employer to fulfill his obligations to inform and consult the EESC.
EESC meetings bring together the employer or its representative and the full members of the staff delegation.
Alternates may attend meetings in the absence of the members.
The EESC members shall submit their written requests to the employer at least 2 working days before the meeting.
The employer shall reply in writing within 6 working days following the meeting.
The employer's requests and responses shall be entered in a specific register which shall be opened by the employer.
This register shall be made available to the following persons:
- Company employees for 1 working day every 15 days and outside working time
- Labor Inspector
- Members of the EESC
In companies with less than 50 employees, the Labor Code does not provide for any formalism regarding the vote or opinion delivered by the ESC.
Yes, meetings can be done by video conference. This appeal shall be limited to 3 meetings per calendar year, except in exceptional circumstances.
An agreement between the employer and the elected members of the committee may allow this limit to be exceeded.
50 or more employees
Ordinary meetings
The members of the ESC staff delegation shall be received collectively by the employer or his representative at least:
- Once every 2 months in the companies of less than 300 employees
- Once a month in the companies of 300 or more employees
At least 4 meetings per year shall be held on the Committee's responsibilities in the field of health, safety and working conditions.
It is possible to schedule more regular meetings by collective agreement or according to a company use, but under no circumstances to reduce the frequency of the latter.
Exceptional meetings
Of exceptional meetings may be organized either on the initiative of the employer or on the initiative of the ESC.
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At the initiative of the employer
- In the event of an accident which has had or may have had serious consequences
- In the event of a serious event linked to the activity of the company which has or may have affected public health or the environment
At the initiative of the EESC
- On matters relating to health, safety or working conditions at the request of two of its members
- On the other subjects, by a majority of ESC members
The employer shall convene and transmit to all members of the committee the agenda.
The agenda is drawn up by the employer and the secretary of the EESC.
It shall be communicated by the employer at least 3 days before the meeting to the following persons:
- Members of the EESC
- Trade union representatives at the CSE
- Labor Inspector
- Prevention officer of social security bodies (Carsat: titleContent)
- CSE experts (e.g. company auditors)
The agenda must be transmitted by any means (e.g. mail, e-mail).
Periodic meetings allow the employer to fulfill its obligations to inform and consult the EESC.
The meetings of the ESC bring together the employer or his representative, possibly assisted by three employees who have an advisory role.
Alternates may attend meetings in the absence of the members.
After the meeting minutes shall be drawn up by the secretary of the committee. It retraces the content of the debates, reproduces the opinions expressed and the answers given.
ESC resolutions shall be adopted by a majority of the members present. Rules and regulations Voting may be by show of hands or by secret ballot if provided for by the Council or by a decision of the ESC.
Secret ballot voting is mandatory in the following cases:
- Dismissal of a protected employee
- Dismissal of the occupational doctor
Yes, meetings can be done by video conference. This appeal shall be limited to 3 meetings per calendar year, except in exceptional circumstances.
An agreement between the employer and the elected members of the committee may allow this limit to be exceeded.
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Telephone administrative information - Allo Public Service
For more information on this topic, you can contact Allô Service Public.
Attention: the service does not have access to users' personal files and cannot therefore provide information on their status.
He does not respond questions relating to unemployment compensation and representations to France Labor (formerly Pôle emploi), the officials or contractual of the fpublic service, the amount or payment of contributions social, wage or management.
- Lundi : de 08h30 à 17h30
- Mardi : de 08h30 à 12h15
- Mercredi : de 08h30 à 12h15
- Jeudi : de 08h30 à 17h30
- Vendredi : de 13h00 à 16h15
- Service free
The informants who answer you belong to the ministry responsible for labor.
Use of videoconference L 2315-4
Meetings in companies with less than 50 employees
Meetings in companies with more than 50 employees
Meetings in companies with less than 300 employees and at least 300 employees
ESC vote