France clarifies workers' right to refuse overtime outside contractual hours

French labor experts say employees may decline work requested beyond normal hours when their employment contract does not explicitly obligate overtime. The right to disconnect is highlighted as a key protection, especially as digital tools make after‑hours contact easy.

According to labour lawyer Maître Laetitia Linossier of the Seine‑Saint‑Denis bar, most contracts contain a general clause allowing extra hours but do not make them compulsory; therefore a worker can refuse such requests. Only contracts that specifically state overtime must be accepted would render a refusal potentially unlawful. Part‑time contracts must list exact schedules, while full‑time contracts often rely on collective timetables that can be adjusted without individual amendments.

Linossier advises employees to keep records of their working hours and any communications sent outside regular times to substantiate claims of excessive workload, particularly for remote workers whose hours are harder to monitor.