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Types of employment (2/3)
This sheet presents other types of employment contract. It also explains how to hold several employment contracts at the same time.
Key points of the sheet
- The temporary contract is also called the temp contract (contrat d'intérim). It links a worker, a temporary work agency and the company where the mission takes place. It is used only for a short mission and must be written and signed.
- The professional training contract (contrat de professionnalisation) links a worker and an employer. It is used as part of certain training programmes.
- The CDD d'usage is also called the extra contract (contrat d'extra). It is used for a precise and temporary task for a very short time: a few hours, one day or a few days in a row.
- A worker can hold several employment contracts, with one or several employers. In this case, there are rules to follow.
- You must not go over 1607 hours a year and 10 hours a day. Per week, the limit is 48 hours, or 44 hours over 12 weeks in a row.
- You must not do two competing activities.
- A contract can have an exclusivity clause. Then it is forbidden to combine this contract with another professional activity.
Words to know
- temp contract (contrat d'intérim) (contrat d’intérim)
- It is the temporary contract, used only for a short mission.
- professional training contract (contrat de professionnalisation)
- It is a contract between a worker and an employer, as part of certain training programmes.
- CDD d'usage (fixed-term contract for very short tasks) (CDD d’usage)
- It is a special fixed-term contract for a precise, temporary task of very short duration.
- exclusivity clause (clause d’exclusivité)
- With this clause, it is forbidden to combine the contract with another professional activity.
Test yourself: 3 questions
When you hold several contracts, how many hours a day at most?
In French, the language of the exam: Quand on cumule plusieurs contrats, combien d'heures par jour au maximum ?
The rule says not to go over 10 hours of work a day.
What does an exclusivity clause in an employment contract mean?
In French, the language of the exam: Que signifie une clause d'exclusivité dans un contrat de travail ?
With an exclusivity clause, it is forbidden to combine the contract with another professional activity.
What is the maximum working time per year set by law?
In French, the language of the exam: Quelle est la durée maximale de travail par an fixée par la loi ?
The law sets the maximum working time at 1607 hours a year.
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More in this topic (Employment)
- Types of employment (3/3): creating a business
- Training (formation) (1/3)
- Training (2/3): having a foreign diploma recognised in France
Source
Sheet “Types d'emploi (2/3)” of the French Ministry of the Interior: formation-civique.interieur.gouv.fr. Content published under the Etalab Open Licence 2.0. This page is a plain-language adaptation made by Hexaciv, which is not an official site: if in doubt, the ministry's text is the one that counts.
Ministry sheet read on 23 October 2026, still identical on 25 October 2026.