Faced with heatwaves, floods, and increasingly frequent wildfires, the question of workers’ safety during extreme weather events has entered the political debate. Marine Tondelier, the leader of the Greens and declared candidate for the 2027 presidential election, proposes creating a five-day “climate leave” per year.
Staying at Home Without Losing Your Pay
The idea? To allow workers, especially those who cannot work remotely, to stay home without pay when a major weather alert disrupts travel or puts their safety at risk. Floods, extreme heat, wildfires, or paralyzed transportation could thus justify this exceptional absence.
A Measure Drawn from the Spanish Model
This measure draws directly on the Spanish example. After the deadly floods of 2024 in the Valencia region, the government of Pedro Sánchez had instituted up to four days of paid leave during severe weather alerts.
A Legal Framework Still Unclear in France
Today in France, labor law remains unclear on these situations. Some companies can suspend activity or employees may exercise their right of withdrawal, but without a systematic guarantee of continued pay. With the multiplication of extreme climate events, several international organizations, including the International Labour Organization, say that protections will need to evolve in the coming years.
The World of Work Should It Adapt to the Climate?
