Working hours in supermarkets are based on sometimes atypical schedules, linked to the conditions and constraints of the sector. Other elements are added to a standard 35-hour workweek. This requires human resources to structure their organization to optimize store turnover. So, in detail, what are the working hours, overtime, and rest periods to which the 1.8 million employees of the large-scale retail sector are entitled? And finally, how can scheduling in supermarkets be automated to save time?
Working hours in supermarkets
👉 A base of 35 hours per week and an exception
In large-scale retail, the full-time weekly working time is based on 35 hours. However, depending on the store's activity level, this working time can be extended to a maximum of 42 hours per week, but only over a period of 12 weeks.
👉 Daily working hours
In hypermarkets and supermarkets, the maximum working time per day is 10 hours. Exceptions may be as high as 12 hours, particularly for store inventory. In all cases, a break must be taken after 4 consecutive hours of work.
👉 Part-time work in supermarkets
For part-time workers, the minimum number of hours is set at 25. However, this can be raised to a higher level by company agreement. Let's remember that a quarter of employees work part-time in the sector, especially women.
💡 Note: according to INSEE, for half of employees, this is involuntary part-time work. For others, such as young people who can thus support themselves and improve their daily lives, it is an opportunity that allows them to continue their studies at the same time.
📌 Overtime in supermarkets and compensatory rest
As a general rule, overtime in supermarkets is decided by company agreement. In the absence of an agreement, the maximum number of overtime hours is limited to 220 per year.
Overtime hours are mandatory to be increased by at least 10%. If nothing is agreed, the law requires an increase of 25% for the first 8 hours, going up to 50% beyond that. If the hours are not paid, the employee is entitled to compensatory rest of 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes for each hour of overtime worked.
🌜Night work in supermarkets
Due to the increasingly long working hours in large retail outlets, with night shifts mainly in large cities, the issue of night work is becoming central.
Similarly, to put orders on the shelves and empty pallets, it is better if customers are not in their tracks. Many large retail employees must therefore arrive early, often before 5 a.m. These atypical hours may therefore correspond to night shifts.
Between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m., large retail employees are entitled to a 20% increase on their usual hourly wage. Between 9 p.m. and 10 p.m., it is 5%.
✌Organizing and automating schedules in large-scale distribution
According to a 2021 INSEE study, 40% of large-scale distribution workers have schedules that change from one week to the next. The sector requires organizational flexibility due to the time of year and staffing needs, as well as individual rest periods.
For human resources in large-scale retailers, this requires close attention and time that could be used on higher value-added tasks. In this respect, automating schedules, outside of a spreadsheet, significantly improves productivity and the organization of working time.
With Skello, you benefit from an automated schedule that can be modified at will. Adapted to your collective agreement for the retail and wholesale trade with a predominance of food, this solution solves all your daily problems.
If your business is more in the wholesale trade, you could consult: the practical guide: the collective agreement for wholesale trade, to learn about the specifics of this sector
Calculate:
- Hours worked
- Overtime
- Night hours
- Rest periods
- Salary increases and all pay variables
A The time clock also allows you to control arrivals and departures. Finally, Skello gives you access to an internal messaging system for all schedule exchanges and leave requests to validate, facilitating the quality of life at work for employees. Working hours in supermarkets have never been easier to calculate!
