[GunMaster357]

Let's clarify a few things about the situation in France.

The law states that we work 35 hours per week. That specific law has created a huge mess.

Prior to it we worked 39 hours a week with 5 weeks of paid leave.
After it passed, we did 35 hours but were paid as if we did 39


Let take myself has an example : I'm a computer programmer.

In my last job, I had the status of a clerck employee. I worked 35 hours a week + 4 hours paid at 25% more than a normal one. But these 4 hours were exonarated of taxes for my employer.

Other people may work precisely 35, 37.5, or 39 hours depending on the company.

In another job, I was rated as a manager. I had no one to manage not even myself. In that case the law states that I cannot work more than 217 days per year. No time limit save for the European limit of 48 hours a week. In reality I busted my ass 9 to 10 hours in the office and usually 1 or two more in front of my home computer.

I did exactly the same thing in these two jobs : writing programs.

Let's not forget all the possible deregulations for turism, public works, etc...

The law on the 35 hours of work per week was passed as a means to get more votes for the socialist party that was in power at that time. It was just demagogy and nothing else.

And let's not forget those working for the administration. We used to say that the law was hard on these guys since they had to increase their output from 29 to 35 hours.

Unfortunately, it's not really a joke.