Can I take my paid leave whenever I want?
Not freely: the employer sets the dates. Every employee earns 2.5 working days of paid leave per month worked, i.e. 30 working days (5 weeks) a year. But you don't take leave whenever you want: you state your wishes, and the employer sets the order and dates of departures based on business needs. They can accept, move or refuse a request, respecting a notice period (often 1 month) and equal treatment between employees. The main leave (at least 12 continuous days) is generally to be taken between 1 May and 31 October. The employer can't deprive you of your leave.
📋 The rules
- Earning: 2.5 working days/month (5 weeks/year)
- The employee requests, the employer sets order and dates
- Refusal/move possible based on business needs
- Notice period to respect (often 1 month)
- Main leave (≥ 12 days): between 1 May and 31 October
🔓 Exceptions
- Company closure: the employer can impose leave dates
- Splitting the main leave: extra days possible
- Company/collective agreements: special rules for taking and period
⚠️ Penalties & fines
The employer can't remove your earned leave: not letting an employee take their leave can lead to damages. Conversely, going on leave without the employer's agreement (unvalidated leave) can be treated as an unjustified absence and sanctioned. At the end of a contract, untaken leave gives rise to a compensatory leave allowance.
📎 Official sources
- Service-Public.fr · Employee paid leave →
- Service-Public.fr · Taking paid leave →
- Légifrance · Labour Code (paid leave, art. L3141-1 ff.) →
❓ Frequently asked
How many leave days a year?
2.5 working days per month worked, i.e. 30 working days (5 weeks) over a full year. Leave is earned over working time and can be taken per the company's rules.
Can I freely choose my leave dates?
No. You state your wishes, but the employer sets the order and dates based on business needs. They can accept, move or refuse a request, respecting a notice period and equal treatment between employees.
Can the employer refuse my leave?
Yes, for business-running reasons (high activity, no replacement). They can also change the dates. But they can't totally deprive you of taking your earned leave.
When to take the main leave?
The main leave (at least 12 continuous days) is generally to be taken between 1 May and 31 October. Splitting beyond this period can earn extra leave days, per the applicable rules.
What happens to untaken leave?
During a contract, it can be lost if not taken in the planned period, unless the employer prevented you from taking it. At the end of a contract, untaken leave gives a compensatory allowance.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
- “take paid leave employer”
- “employer can refuse leave”
- “2.5 days leave per month”
- “main leave 1 may 31 october”
- “leave dates imposed”
- “compensatory leave allowance”