Resigning from a CDI (contrat à durée indéterminée — France's standard permanent employment contract) is your right as an employee. However, it comes with important consequences regarding unemployment benefits and your final pay settlement.
The Resignation Letter: Form and Delivery
French law does not require a specific form for resigning from a CDI, but a registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt (LRAR) is strongly recommended. It provides irrefutable proof of the date your employer received your notice, which starts the notice period clock.
Notice Period Duration
The notice period depends on your collective agreement (convention collective) and seniority. Common durations:
- Employees and workers: 1 month (sometimes 15 days for under 6 months of service)
- Technicians and supervisors: 1 to 3 months depending on the collective agreement
- Managers (cadres): generally 3 months (up to 6 months in some agreements)
Your Rights at Departure
At the end of your notice period, your employer must provide three documents: the final pay settlement (solde de tout compte), the certificate of employment (certificat de travail), and the France Travail attestation for unemployment registration.
Resignation and Unemployment Benefits
In principle, resignation does not entitle you to unemployment benefits (ARE). Exceptions include following a spouse who relocates for work, non-payment of salary by your employer, or resignation after at least 5 years of CDI for professional retraining.
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