Working weekends and public holidays in temporary jobs
29 October 2024 · 3 min reading time
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See job offersSunday Temp Work: Assignments, Rights and Sectors in Demand
Working Sundays on a temp contract raises many questions for both workers and employers. While certain industries are especially busy at weekends, temps need to understand their rights and the specific conditions that apply on that day. This article looks at every facet of Sunday temp work—the legal framework, temps’ rights, the sectors that hire, and the particular features of weekend assignments.
Key points
- Temping on Sundays offers welcome flexibility and the chance to earn extra income thanks to premium pay.
- Industries such as hospitality & catering, logistics and large‑scale retail actively recruit temps for weekend shifts.
- Temps’ rights—including compensatory rest and the safeguards attached to Sunday work—are protected by the Labour Code.
- Check the relevant collective agreement to see whether it grants more favourable working conditions.
Legal framework for temp work on Sundays
Sunday work for temps is governed by the French Labour Code, which sets strict conditions. Article L3132‑1 states that Sunday working is prohibited unless an exemption applies to the industry—such as hospitality, catering or retail. Any business that wants to hire temps on Sundays must therefore make sure its activity falls within one of these exemptions.
These exemptions cover sectors where Sunday labour is essential to operations—most notably hotels, restaurants, food shops, and companies involved in security, transport or emergency services.
In addition, certain geographical areas enjoy permanent exemptions, especially tourist districts or major shopping zones where Sunday opening is allowed under specific rules. Firms located in International Tourist Zones (ZTI), for example, may hire temps on Sundays to handle higher demand during peak tourist periods.
Pay
It is often assumed that Sunday work is always better paid, but that is not necessarily true. Any pay premium is normally laid down in an industry agreement, a collective bargaining agreement, or a company‑level accord, and it varies by sector. A 50 % premium is common in some fields, yet others offer no premium at all if the applicable agreement sets none.
Compensatory rest
Article L3132‑26 guarantees employees a right to compensatory rest after Sunday work—essential for protecting their well‑being. These legal provisions frame Sunday temping and ensure adequate protection for temporary workers.
Compensatory rest for temps
Compensatory rest is a statutory right for temps who work on Sundays or outside standard hours. It is an additional rest period granted in exchange for shifts worked on days that are normally non‑working. Under Article L3132‑26 of the Labour Code, this rest must be taken during the week following the Sunday or public‑holiday shift.
Temps who work on Sundays in sectors where Sunday trading is authorised are entitled to this compensatory rest. The aim is to maintain a work–life balance even in industries granted .
Sunday‑work exemptions.
Conditions for taking compensatory rest
The rest must be taken in the week after the assignment, but the exact arrangements may differ according to the collective agreement or industry accord. In some cases it can be postponed or replaced by monetary compensation, especially where Sunday work is routine—as in hospitality, catering or health‑care.
Exceptions to compensatory rest
In certain exempt sectors, or in cases of urgent work, companies may be allowed to adjust how compensatory rest is applied. They must, however, still respect employees’ rights and provide adequate compensation.
This compensatory‑rest mechanism ensures that temps are not disadvantaged by working during periods that are normally off, while also accommodating the operational needs of specific businesses and sectors.
Sunday temp work: the benefits
Extra earnings – weekend assignments let you boost your income, ideal if you want to improve your finances.
Schedule flexibility – Sunday shifts make it easier to fit work around studies, family or other commitments, a key draw for many temps.
Career development – weekend missions help you gain new skills and broaden your professional network.
Taken together, these advantages make Sunday temp work especially appealing to anyone looking for a flexible and rewarding experience.
Which sectors hire temps on Sundays?
Logistics
Logistics is one of the biggest providers of Sunday temp assignments. Companies often need extra hands for order picking, storage or delivery runs. Roles range from stock control to driving delivery routes, making the sector attractive to temps.
Hospitality & Catering
Hotels, restaurants and catering services show strong Sunday demand. Employers look for temps able to handle short but intense shifts—brunch service, banquets or events—letting workers gain valuable experience while boosting their income.
Large‑scale Retail
Supermarkets and hypermarkets also recruit temps for Sunday shifts. Available roles include checkout, shelf restocking and stock management. For anyone seeking flexible hours, Sunday work in retail can be an excellent opportunity.
Temping on public holidays: what are the rules?
In France, public‑holiday work is governed by several Labour‑Code articles. In principle, holidays are days off for all employees—temps included—but sector‑specific exceptions exist. Article L3133‑4 makes 1 May the only compulsory day off for everyone except vital industries. For the other holidays, employers may ask staff to work if the business operates continuously—health care, hospitality and similar sectors.
Temps are covered by Article L1251‑18, which states they must receive the same pay conditions as permanent staff of the host company—including any holiday premium laid down in the collective agreement. In some industries, holiday work pays 25 % to 100 % extra on the hourly rate or grants a compensatory rest day.
Temps should therefore read their contract or ask their agency to confirm the holiday‑pay rules set by the relevant agreement and legislation.
Temping on Saturdays and weekends
Why work on Saturdays?
Saturday temp shifts bring many openings, especially in retail and fast‑food. Regulation is lighter than on Sundays but still offers flexible schedules—ideal for workers who need to juggle a job with other commitments.
Saturday vs. Sunday: the differences
Remember the key distinctions:
Saturday is treated as a normal workday; no statutory premiums apply unless the collective agreement says otherwise.
Sunday is covered by Sunday‑work rules: it often attracts wage premiums and mandatory compensatory rest.
Being aware of these differences helps temps choose the most rewarding weekend assignments.
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