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Heatwave: a climate leave soon to take effect in Paris?

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The Editor

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After a severe heatwave in Paris, we've all rethought our lifestyles and adjusted our habits. But unsurprisingly, not everyone experiences the heat in the same way, and this is especially linked to our work situation. Fortunately, the discussion is underway to introduce a climate leave to better cope with heatwaves in Paris.

Four exceptional days of leave to take in case of a red heatwave alert: that's what a Parisian company is offering. This measure would apply to all the most exposed workers, such as laborers, home care helpers, agricultural workers, and maintenance staff.


A unique initiative in France

This idea comes from the Compagnie du 20e: an employment-focused company supported by the city hall of the 20th arrondissement, which aims to create a "Zero Long-Term Unemployment Territory". It is behind eight solidarity-based and ecological establishments (a café, a daycare, and a soon-to-open third place) and employs 65 people. Since July 7, the Compagnie du 20e has been offering each of its employees a balance of 4 days of leave to take in case of an announced red heatwave alert by Météo France.

Best. A unique initiative in France that is sure to inspire many others!

This measure addresses the feeling of inequality experienced by those who cannot work remotely or afford to take unpaid leave. It reflects a desire to prioritize people over profit by directly protecting employees.


A Major Political Challenge

While Spain and Italy have already implemented similar measures in 2023, France has realized it is falling behind due to recent heatwaves. The discussion has opened up in the Paris Council, highlighting concepts like the “right to cool” and “climate security.” In the long run, there could be a move towards codifying a threshold in the labor code for when this climate leave would become applicable.

Environmentalists have also voiced their concerns, warning about the irreversible effects of climate change and launching a petition for 5 days of climate leave (for the heatwave, the floods, the fires…). When we know that in 4 years, over 200,000 people have died due to heat events in Europe, and that the situation isn’t going to improve anytime soon, it’s clear that this topic is becoming a major issue on the political, economic, and especially social fronts.