Fewer days off and teleworking, more flexibility. This is the purpose of the social agreement announced Thursday, December 19 by the Renault group, which plans to increase the working hours of its executives to better face the competition. In fact, they are preparing to lose on average three days of vacation per year. They will also be encouraged to work on Saturdays, this day being paid instead of offering an additional day of recovery.
The possibility of employees using teleworking must also be limited to two days per week, compared to three previously. This is in addition to the 35 days that employees can file whenever they want, up to three days per week. Finally, teleworking may be suspended for up to three weeks in the event of exceptional need.
Several rewards
The objective of this agreement? “ Close the gap with the best of our competitors », Announces Renault. While the transition to electric as well as Chinese and American competition (Tesla) are testing the French automobile industry, the manufacturer hopes to gain productivity. “ What makes the activity is performance », Estimates Maximilien Fleury, director of human resources at Renault France.
In return for this effort, the two signatory and majority unions – CFE-CGC and CFDT – were satisfied with better health coverage for employees and the promise of end-of-career adjustment measures, namely progressive retirement. and part-time work two years before the end of their career.
The group is also setting up a “ solidarity fund » aimed at factory employees. In the event of forced partial activity, the continuity of their remuneration will be ensured thanks to this fund into which all employees will occasionally pay, as necessary, 0.2% of their income. “ It is thanks to this guarantee that the CFDT signed the agreement », Specifies Jena Tran, national secretary at CFDT Cadres.
Several companies in consideration
Given the context of strong competition in which it operates, Renault is the first French company to take the plunge in such a clear manner. But others have started thinking, particularly in the energy sector. “ There is an impulse from large companies to renegotiate the organization of executives’ working timeassure Jena Tran. And Renault is already in this dynamic. »
However, these discussions do not necessarily imply a step back. “ It all depends on how the negotiations go and what executives have to gain », continues Jena Tran. This may involve, for example, a reassessment of individual increase thresholds. But it can also be an opportunity – paradoxically – to reflect on the four-day week. The trade unionist is convinced of this: “ This will be one of the challenges of salary negotiations at the start of 2025 ».