French Baker Fined For Refusing To Work Less

We have previously discussed the continuing debate over France’s generous vacation and work regulations — and their impact on productivity.  Anyone who goes to France in the summer will find most stores shut at the peak of tourist season as the French take off for month long vacations.  One Frenchmen however wanted to work . . . and he now going to pay the price for productivity.  In Lusigny-sur-Barse, a baker has been ordered to pay a €3,000 fine for refusing to close his shop and work less.

The town of Lusigny-sur-Barse only has 2000 people in it and they appear happy with having a hard-working baker.  However, local employment laws require bakers’ shops to close once a week. The baker has obtained exceptions but last year they were denied.  He was told that he could not simply work as much as he wanted. This is France after all.

The retail union CLIC-P however supports the mandatory closure rules.  

As France grapples with its economic struggles, it might want to start with laws that punish those who want to work more.