Employment of senior employees

26 June 2025 1 min read

By Jérôme Halphen and Stéphanie Schindler

At a glance

  • The proposed legislation aims to promote the continued employment of older workers.
  • Large employers will be required to engage in mandatory collective bargaining on matters concerning senior employees.
  • Additional obligations are proposed regarding mid- and end-of-career discussions between employers and employees.

In June 2025, the Senate approved a new bill introducing several measures concerning senior employees. One of the proposed measures requires all companies with more than 300 employees to engage in collective bargaining every three years (or every four years if representative trade unions are present) on matters relating to senior staff. This includes discussions on the recruitment and continued employment of senior employees, pre-retirement arrangements, and the transfer of expertise.

The existing obligation to hold a mandatory mid-career meeting, scheduled within two months following the compulsory mid-career health check, will be strengthened to include a comprehensive review of the employee’s professional goals and expectations regarding training and mobility. Similarly, the end-of-career meeting, which must take place within the two years before the employee turns 60, will also be reinforced. This meeting will allow for discussions on transitioning to part-time work or phased retirement.

The bill is now awaiting approval by the French National Assembly on 30 June.