The temporary worker CET: definition and complete guide.
24 October 2022 · 10 min reading time
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See job offersIn labor law, the CET (compte épargne temps - time savings account) allows employees to receive compensation in exchange for unused vacation or rest days. Temporary workers (intérimaires) can benefit from these rights in the same way as employees on fixed-term (CDD) or permanent (CDI) contracts.
Let's take a closer look at the temporary worker CET and its specific features.
Temporary Worker CET: What is a Time Savings Account?
The CET for temporary workers is a bank account opened by temporary employment agencies for their workers. In this account, employees can save certain amounts usually paid at the same time as their payslip. This can include contractual bonuses or end-of-assignment indemnities, for example. The CET offers many advantages but remains relatively unknown to temporary workers.
One of the benefits of this account is that the amounts deposited accrue interest. These amounts are protected in the event of the temporary employment agency's receivership or liquidation. Article L. 3253-8 of the French Labor Code provides a guarantee by the AGS (Association pour la garantie des salaires - Wage Guarantee Fund). Temporary workers are therefore covered against any risk of non-payment, up to a certain limit.
Implementation of the CET in Temporary Employment Agencies
Temporary employment agencies that opt for the CET are required to offer it systematically to temporary workers. In some cases, the latter may accept or reject it by written agreement. Indeed, employees are not obliged to join if this provision is not included in the industry or collective agreement. Temporary workers are free to allocate the rights they wish to deposit into the CET bank account.
They can also proceed with its withdrawal only under certain conditions.
Advantages of the CET for the Temporary Employment Agency
Offering the advantage of the CET allows the temporary employment agency to build loyalty among its temporary workers. Internally, it also improves the forward planning of working time by making forecasts on upcoming events. Finally, it helps to anticipate certain costs related to employee departures at the end of their careers.
How the CET Works
The temporary worker informs the temporary employment agency in writing of their wish to open a CET and the amounts they wish to allocate to it. These deposits generate interest. The withdrawal of this sum of money can occur at any time, at the employee's request. The payment can thus take place during or outside an assignment, but also during the employee's unemployment period.
Which Temporary Workers is the CET For?
Any temporary worker at a temporary employment agency can open a time savings account if the agency offers it. If the employee changes agency, they will have to work the same number of hours again in the new agency to be entitled to open a new CET.
At Staffmatch, opening a CET is only possible for temporary workers who have completed at least 800 hours of temporary work.
What Can Be Deposited into a CET?
Depending on the agency, the amounts allocated to the CET may differ. This can be rest time, such as RTT (reduction of working time) days, paid or unpaid leave days, or rest days. Various salary supplements can also be deposited into the CET. These include contractual or miscellaneous bonuses, thirteenth month pay, end-of-assignment indemnities (IFM), and compensatory allowances for paid leave (ICCP).
At Staffmatch, only IFM and ICCP can be deposited into the CET.
CET, Overtime, and Rest Days
The employee can only deposit the amount relating to overtime hours worked if the industry agreement provides for it. These correspond to hours worked beyond the collective working time. The temporary employment agency is then required to apply the legal increases in force at the time of depositing the amount into the CET.
Regular Information on the Contents of the CET
Once the CET is opened, the temporary worker can request the deposit of this money in whole or in part. They are informed of the amounts allocated to the CET on their payslip. At Staffmatch, you can choose to deposit your end-of-assignment indemnity.
We also offer you the option of depositing your compensatory allowance for paid leave into your CET.
How to Withdraw Funds from Your CET
The contents of the CET are accessible at any time. The temporary worker can request the payment of the amounts allocated by contacting their account manager at the temporary employment agency. However, the employee must respect a period of 12 days to request the withdrawal of funds. The request must be made in writing, with the date and reason for the withdrawal.
Withdrawal from the CET can only be done in one way. The employee can receive the requested amounts at the same time as the payment of their next payslip. They then receive a financial surplus.
Advantages of the CET for Temporary Workers
Opening a CET is advantageous for the employee. The interest rate offered by temporary employment agencies is higher than that of various classic savings accounts.
At Staffmatch, the savings rate is 8% per year.
The CET is an opportunity to build up additional remuneration in case of unforeseen circumstances. As withdrawal is possible at any time, the saved amounts can finance various projects. Some agreements provide for the right to deposit a portion of unused paid leave in order to keep it for later.
How Long Can an Unfunded CET Be Kept?
If the temporary worker does not deposit any amount into their CET for 5 years, it will be closed automatically. The agency then pays the temporary worker the amounts saved up to that point on the following payslip. The payment is made in the form of a compensatory allowance.
Other conditions present in the collective agreement may define the closure of a CET. For example, if the temporary worker no longer has assignments with the agency for several months, or if the contract is terminated, the CET may be closed.
How to Close a CET
The agreement of March 27, 2020, relating to the arrangement and reduction of working time, defines the conditions for closing the CET. The end of a temporary worker's assignment does not lead to the closure of the account, unless they request it. The closure of the CET is subject to the following conditions, justified by a written request from the employee:
- The temporary worker is hired on a permanent contract (CDI).
- The employee retires.
- The temporary worker has been registered as a job seeker for more than three consecutive months.
- The employee faces serious financial difficulties.
- The temporary worker is recognized as disabled in the second or third category by Social Security.
- The temporary worker is recognized by Cotorep in category C following a work accident or occupational disease.
In the event of the employee's death, their rights are transferred to their beneficiaries. They receive a compensatory allowance for the amount that the temporary worker would have received.
If you change agency, the agreement or collective agreement determines the transfer procedures for the rights. Often, the rights are not transferable from one agency to another.
The temporary worker CET offers a real benefit, both for the temporary employment agency and for the employees.
At Staffmatch, this deposit is therefore very advantageous if you save part of your remuneration. Our teams support you throughout the process, for a clear understanding of your rights.
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