Job security in France is a whole new level. I'm an American expat living near Paris. A while ago, a French colleague of mine had a nervous breakdown at work. I don't know what triggered it, I just know he had just finished a phone call and suddenly he was yelling and tossing stuff. He smashed his computer and put several dents into his desk. As an American, I was thinking the guy was going to get fired on the spot. Instead, a doctor gave him a four week break paid by the French healthcare system and none of my French colleagues expressed any negative feelings about the ordeal. They just concluded he had a bad day. Our company paid for the damages and my colleague kept his job. A few months later he did leave but only because he had chosen to. I was simply flabbergasted.
A buddy of mine, entry level IT guy, was put on paid leave "arrêt maladie" because he had a bad breakup with his GF back in 2021, and he sort of went drunk. I mean, his doctor wrote him an "ordonnance" for it, so it's all square with social security, but 4 years later he's still getting paid 50% of his salary and spent most of his time at home buying computer parts and really cool wine collection. I think he's considering looking for a new job right now, but he's unsure. And we're talking about a public $100 billion household insurance company with 150k employees paying him off, not some crazy VC funded ping-pong table startup. d So he's obviously replaceable, but I'm guessing its more cost-efficient to just keep in on payroll than firing him.
Nervous or mental breakdowns were taboo topics right until covid. It is still the case to a certain degree but people talk more about it now and colleagues simply rationalize the reasons. French are not really used to show their emotions or express the way they really feel at work (and in life in general). By the time they have had enough, it is usually too late because they have crossed the breaking point so many times that their mind is already in pieces. Everybody knows that in the work space. So there is simply no need to add to the dramatic situation since everybody can experience it. Time and healthcare are given to heal and life goes on. The employee goes back to work and decides how he wanna write the next chapter of his life with the implicit support of his colleagues.
@@matthieumichardmy husband is working as a lawyer specialized in “droit du travail” Actually the 50% salary kept for several years, it depends on the branch the company is on. For example some company you keep 50% of your salary for 6 months and then nothing and you need to be back for 12 months in a row to touch anything if you are sick again later Some other companies it’s just 3 months and 70% of the salary etc It’s unusual to keep the salary for that long though so I’m a bit surprised? But know that it depends of the company you’re working for it’s not a common rule for all companies in France
In the US, employers require you to give 2 weeks notice to quit a job. On the flip side, employers terminate employees without notice. As soon as you are notified, if you are in the office physically, security will escort you out the door immediately. It's double standard.
wrong. States have different rules. At will states you can be fired and quit at any time. 2 weeks is a courtesy most do but not required by all states.
@@Tennischamp10 I feel like you’re quibbling over peanuts - the point stands. Companies fire at will (pretty much) but expect notice if you want to leave. Screw them. Employees have pretty poor protections in America and thank god people have finally woken up and are now unionising.
@@veronicamaine3813 I disagree. People are clueless that companies are just going to raise prices. Look at California Mcdonalds. People think employees will win. never. That is politician talk
As someone who has experienced serious employment struggles in the US, this sounds completely unbelievable to me 😭 the level of support is unreal. Best of luck on your RU-vid channel! 💜
The support is wonderful, but also the reason that France was on the verge of financial collapse because of these programs. This is why they were rioting in the streets when government officials raised the retirement age from 62 to 64, which was required to continue to fund such programs.
@@doubleservings2890Aren't these programs covered by taxes? In the U.S. I've never been unemployed for so long that I came close to exhausting my unemployment bebefits And the amount of the check was always enough to cover basic expenses. Yes, the perks don't compare to what she's talking about here, but somebody must be paying for that?
Will always be proud of my country and its commitment to protecting workers. It will never fail to astound me how greedy and selfish higher ups will be to keep their inflated salaries and leave the hard workers in the dirt
It's also a massive impediment to global companies employing in France... If your a startup or business wanting to try something new, you wouldn't do it in France. So its a great thing for people already employed. It's an impediment for those trying to get a job.
This video was a bit of an eye-opener for me - I knew Europe had good "social security", so to speak, but didn't realize how good. Let me tell you, Arielle, my story. I live in the US. After getting a university degree in Engineering I became gainfully employed. Very long story short, in 14 years in the high tech industry I was laid off 3 times - basically every 4 years. The first time I was only 25 yrs old and that experience, and the other 2, left me w/PTSD. In the US you can lose your job for any reason or no reason. I was not given any notice of these lay-offs and got either 2 weeks pay or, in one case, 30 days pay. After 14 yrs of this torture and living in fear, I decided, like you , to start my own business. I became a self-employed massage therapist and I had to go to school and get certified. I had to pay for the school myself and also for the certification. No help from ex-employer nor the govt. I took a 63% pay cut to take a job that would help me gain experience in massage/healthcare. I had to sell my house, at a loss, and lived off what was left of my down payment because the salary I was making was not liveable. I was fortunate to have a friend who let me live with him for a fairly inexpensive rate. When the downpayment money was gone, I had to live off my 401K. When that was exhausted I had to file bankruptcy. This was all until I was able to finish school, start my business, and build my clientele to the point I could make a living wage. That took years. Mine is not a rare story. There are others who have much worse stories. The USA is the greatest country in the world?? Really?? There's a lot that Americans say about Europe and about "Socialism", but at least there is some actual "social security" in Europe. Yes, Europe has very high taxes, but you get what you pay for. We have high taxes too, but still do not have the services nor any "social security". I too have been thinking about getting a European passport through my husband's Italian lineage. Best of wishes to you, Arielle, you are an inspiration! This video also made me realize I wasn't a subscriber to your channel even though I've watched many of your videos. I'm a subscriber now! I'm so looking forward to your adventures and would appreciate more explanation of how you obtained your European passport and costs associated with that and more content on life as an ex-pat. Thank you! :)
@@dlady4 socialism is NOT the answer..never will be...the US was built for the INDIVIDUAL to make themselves in and through this life..not for uncle gov to interject nor stop anyone from living...the freeloaders can and should depart for Europe
I worked at a doctors office for 30 years and they laid me off without notice at the start of covid. They said that they could legally do this because they had less than 50 employees and I was so devastated I never even looked to see if this was legal😞 I wish there had been a union to protect me.
You must live in a ‘Right to Work’ state. *Remember to thoroughly examine anything being promoted by the republican party. They have a tendency to protect the monied over the masses; a business/corporation over the workers/individual.
I'm also a dual citizen, and also worked in Europe. But the pay is usually terrible compared to in the US, unless you get lucky and find a generous company. Then it's not so easy to find a job either, because it being so difficult to fire or lay people off, companies are very cautious with hiring. Of course the vacation allowances are better, where one often receives 4-6 weeks off a year in most European countries (by law). But it can be difficult to climb the career ladder, with jobs often static; one has little room to advance their position within the company. And changing jobs takes more time/effort in Europe. So in my opinion there are positives and minuses, and we can't say the European social net is all good, as it has definite drawbacks.
Arielle, you are doing us all such a service. Not only in learning about and the enjoyment of being in Paris, but in demonstrating how it looks to simply move forward in life under duress and disappointment. Being grateful is key. One thing I'd like to share is that the colorway you are sporting today is so flattering, both in makeup and the pink sweater. You look fabulous. You look natural, relaxed, soft and beautiful. So happy to be on this journey with you. ❤
Thank you ! We in France are used to complaining about everything and it's good to hear you show gratitude! It puts things into perspective. Je vous souhaite le meilleur pour la suite de votre route !
As a Swiss entrpreneur, I would never move my company to France because its too dangerous. You may face adversity in your business like losing a major contract, then you find you can't lower the headcount fast to protect the business, and you go bankrupt and everybody loses, even the employees who would have otherwise remained on board. France as a country attractive to investment has been completely sabotaged by the socialists who just cannot understand, because they don't have the mental flexibility, that by making it easy for an entrepreneur to fire, you make it equally easy for them to open a new job and hire, because there is less risks. But because its to hard to fire, you think twice before opening new positions or you move the workplaces abroad.
@@IrishOisterI am French and I totally agree with your analysis. No wonder we have high unemployment rate and finding a job here is a mission. Highly qualified people have to often get a no or low qualification required job to earn some kind of living. The whole process has to be « re thinked «
WOW - wish we had all those benefits when under threat of redundancy in the UK! Absolutely brilliant - well done, France. Kudos to you for grabbing Life by the throat and running with it: trust me, that's how people get the most out of life (ie not just waiting for it to happen). Good luck in all you do and I send you positive vibes and the wish that you receive everything you are heading towards. x
What an amazing plan that France has for people who are being laid off! I've never heard of that before. In my state, Washington, employment is considered "at will". This means that an employee or employer can terminate employment without a reason. Now, if you belong to a union, that's the "sticking point". I belong to the teacher union and I'd have to do something pretty bad to be fired. Best of luck on your business journey! I enjoy your videos!
I was laid off here in the USA in the past after the company I was working for went through a merger. I truly wish there would have been those types of supports available at that time. Congratulations to you on taking steps to make this channel a fun and successful employment. I truly enjoy learning about France through you and Paris is just so magical. Best of luck!!!
Living in the U.S. I have never even heard of how other countries handle these kinds of things. We are told to fear and hate the "socialism" of European countries. Thank you for sharing, I hope more of us here begin to learn what else is possible and reasonably successful. congratulations on making your life dream happen.
LOL, in Europe we are told to fear the capitalism of the US 😂 Socialism… what a joke ! It’s called caring, not being a socialist ! Trust me, we don’t have many socialist governements in Europe ! Defo happy to be from Europe and from France !
Yeaaaah. Wonder why we’re told that? So companies won’t be forced to take care of their people, maybe? Greed reigns supreme in the United Corporations of America, but I sense a rebellion in the wind. 😝
I moved to France from Canada 4yr ago on my UK passport and the BREXIT. My world was turned upside down.... It took me 3yr and to get my Irish citizenship and then my Irish passport. Those 3yr were filled with anxiety and never knowing how long I was actually going to be able to stay. I owe my new life to my grandfather who was born and raised in Ireland and moved to Canada to give his family a better life, which then allowed me this opportunity to live and move anywhere in the EU. I can understand your struggle. I wish you all the best. Life living abroad is very rewarding but equally stressful and very difficult to navigate at times.
@@nicolad8822 dealing with prefectures and paper work here can be a daunting and challenging….. It took me almost 1yr for a bank to accept me even though I had all the correct paperwork….. I literally went to every bank in the city I live in and was rejected and my French boyfriend had us go back to the last one and he pushed the matter and I was told I only got it due to him. Even though I met all the requirements and called head office to make sure I had all the correct paperwork to be able to open a bank account. It’s hard here.
Wow I’m impressed by the support France gives to its people❣️I know only to well the financial hardship caused by loosing a job in the states. Especially if you are 50 years old and up. It is almost impossible to get a job. You can have an impeccable resume and references, but 50 or older dead in the water! For some reason corporations feel you have nothing to offer. Very sad. I’m glad you did not have to experience this and that you received the emotional and financial support to guide you along your way🎉
That’s a sad mindset you have about being in your 50s and dead in the water when it comes to getting employment. Just not true. Maybe turn your mindset around. My husband got a new job at 53. We’ve known plenty of others who are in their 50s who’ve gotten jobs in their chosen field. It may be that you could have a better attitude at an interview. I of course don’t know you but something to think about.
@@vickyb9918 when you send your resume out to multiple companies with no response over the course of a year and not even one interviews that’s a sign. My husband has two degrees and impeccable references. I’m just telling you it happens even before you have the opportunity to walk through the corporate door. Happy you husband found work.
What a great video! I think I've been following you for about a year and I noticed your videos ramping up. In Australia we have pretty good labor laws but France sounds like it does so much better. Good on you for taking the leap being so determined to succeed. I'm 55 and just studied for the past five years to start a new career so I know how hard it can be and what it takes. Congratulations. I'm looking forward to more content xx
Congratulations on starting something new. I’m 56. I dislike when people in their 50s say they’re too old to start or do something new. That’s nonsense to me. Can you tell me what your new career will be?
@@vickyb9918 It is such nonsense isn't it! I''ve been studying professional writing and editing. I do some freelance writing but for the past year I've been working at a university doing communications and event management for the philanthropy department. I also had my first article published in The Guardian Australia last week and I'm so proud of myself. I graduate in December.
I wish you can do a presentation on this to all of the owners of Amazon and Walmart!😊 This is incredible how they are helping you in all this. But again, I am sorry that you’re going through this. Keep us updated.
Well done, I'm so pleased you have taken this opportunity and used it to do something you really want to do. It's so nice seeing a young women taking a leap of faith and thriving! We need more positive roles models in the social media space and you defiantly fill that hole.
CONGRATULATIONS Arielle! You’re awesome🙌🏽!! So much courage and strength! Definitely not a quitter in the face of adversity! I CANNOT WAIT to see the next chapter … Staying glued to my seat, chica!!🤗
First congrats to you for pursuing what you love and succeeding. I recently stumbled across your channel while looking for info about visiting Paris. What I liked about your channel is your presence. Positive, authentic, honest. And I liked the videos that allowed me a window into every day France and culture. I love Italy. Have visited 3 times and hope to return this Fall. Best to you. I will be tuning in.
This is amazing!! Glad to have ran across your channel!! For this reason, I’m going back to school to learn how to run a business and living in France sounds wonderful. The world is literally my oyster when I’m done. I guess I’ll go for my masters there too!!
Girl, you just popped up on my feed. I felt compelled to click on this video… and I subscribed! You’re a great storyteller and I look forward to your new adventure!
I came running as soon as I saw the title, I'm so glad you're doing okay and I'm happy that you've decided to follow your passion! ❤ and might I say, you look STUNNING, I love your makeup nd this color looks so pretty on you. So happy for you, I've been following you for a while and it's been endearing in a way to see your channel grow, I look forward to seeing you succeed! 🥰
Woohoo! You are really good at turning unfortunate events in to something positive and that’s truly a gift to share with your subscribers!!! Best wishes to you! Excited to see where life takes you next ❤
OMG, the U.S. is SO far behind in so many ways, this area for sure. They drop you with a moments notice and tough luck to you. I'm really respecting France right now with how they are taking care of their workers. For a minute I thought you were going to say you're moving to Italy.
So smart of you were to fix being able to stay in Paris if you want to without the job you had! The French labor laws seem to put people's lives first which you dont see happening in Canada with layoffs very stressful life changing time for people. You have great detail in your vlogs & I am sure you have lots of great content coming out way. Happy you can work at something you enjoy!
Omg I’m living in the wrong country! That is incredible that the country does that and keeps these companies in check! No wonder the visa system is so challenging.
You popped up on my feed and I’m so happy. Paris is one of my favorite places and my husband and I often remark that we need to go back and really take time to tour as we were on a mission the first trip. It’s such a magical place and I’m so intrigued by your new career. Happy to see they treat employees with such dignity. I’m on this journey with you now. Will be fun!!
I’m excited for you and for us! I LOVED your videos of the arrondissement tours and love your cooking ones too! I can’t wait to see you continue to excel! Wishing you the best!
Wow this turned out to be extremely inspiring. I’m sorry you lost your job.. but wow.. it’s almost like it was just a sign for you to just go for it.. you could have gone back home.. but you didn’t.. your gonna do sooo great! If your ever in the Netherlands.. we definitely need to collab and get margaritas! I moved here about 3 years ago from Los Angeles.. and just love it here in Europe.
Thank you for sharing this video explanation regarding your employment change. Congratulations on having the courage of taking on this new job and phase of your life. This is your next stepping stone in reaching what you are so good at doing. I was afraid at first that you were going to announce the end of your posting. Now I am so happy that you are letting us know that you will be sharing more projects that we will get to experience with you. God bless you on your new adventure. You are blessed to have a wonderful family and Jean to support you through this process. I look forward to each one of your postings/vlogs (?) because I get to see and live virtually through your actual presence. Thank you so much.
Sorry to hear about your job but I think you will be fine moving forward with this new path! Hope all goes well and I will continue to watch your updates and adventures. ❤
Hi Arielle! It had been a while since I had seen your videos. I'm so proud of you for betting on yourself! It was so interesting hearing about Paris layoffs. It's so interesting! Can't wait to see you grow even more. xoxo
Hi I know the struggles of losing a job. I am working but it’s not making me a sustainable income. I am renting a room, not too satisfied with the tenant I gave her a year and hope she can leave for a better place. I am still applying jobs online but it’s not easy if your in your mid 50’s and some jobs require a lot of work experience. Times are tough in SoCal. Wish you lots of luck in your next career. So glad you are able to do a good you tube vlog. I don’t have any privacy so it’s hard to be a you tuber here in SoCal maybe only a few. Not in my area. Wish you the best and wish you well. It’s a very sad year and a difficult decade. At least my late parents don’t have to suffer as I am. I don’t rent or pay a mortgage except the property tax is increasing. Stay well and safe 👍🙏💗
Can you imagine how sad you would be about leaving Paris if it was 1980? Sadly I did not visit Paris until 2002 and found that Paris was over run by foreigners. The area beliw Montmatre had a similar feel as Tangiers and the Metro felt like Cote d’Ivoire. I had a similar experience in Hamburg ten years earlier but native Germans could still be found. I was that I had travelled to Europe 20 years earlier when it retained its traditional ethnic feel. Now all the big cities are not different from NYC. Sad.
Just found you and love your channel! My unsolicited advice: change the channel name to your name as you grow your brand and the banner to “paris diaries” or something like that! “A Canadian in Paris” love your videos!!
Hahaha thank you for the kind comment ☺️ the name for my channel is actually extremely sentimental to me as it relates to my grandma. But I do understand the suggestion !
Good luck for your new adventure on officially focusing on RU-vid! Cannot wait to see new content! Hopefully you'll also be able to make videos of other cities of this beautiful country! There is so much more to discover and to show around! 😌
What are you doing there. I was living there, after my marriage I wanted to stay however my husband did not want to move there. I move to USA and I am glad and listened to him.
PS - Just stumbled onto your channel for the first time by accident. I lived in Europe in the early 1980s and visited Paris regularly... so now you have a new subscriber. :-)
It is very similar in Québec where unlike the anglo provinces we have retained the French Civil Code for all civil matters instead of Common Law, i was part of a massive layoff where i was working for the Canadian subsidiary of a French company and my experience was very similar to Arielle.
You will do great 🎉 Thank you for sharing your journey with us and the reminder to check your heritage in case it may help getting a second citizenship ❤
Thank you for sharing your experience with us, wishing you the best in your new adventure. Great video, I am European but live in the USA and have never heard of these laws that France has when you get laid off from your job! Congrats to you!
Mind that she speaks about economical layoff which is the most comfortable but rare situation. Usually, you are layoff with a compensation of 1.5 month per worked year then you have a blank period of about 1 month during which you are not having job seeker national funds. Then after that month, you are entitled of a job seeker allowance which is about 60% of your last salary. Regarding paid training, remember that she is on a special very unique scheme which 99% of french don't get. Mind too that job seeker allowance is having a maximum duration. Last, if you are a foreigner with limited language capabilities, you might not have big chance to find a job. Still last: mind that she has a European passport. If you haven't, your stay move to a tourist reason of stay with only 90 days of France residency allowance and surely not job seeker funds.
Thanks for the video! I'm happy it turned out to be great for you in the end. But, there are always two sides to each coin. The downside of all those layoff benefits is slow economic growth and high unemployment. In particular, youth unemployment. And full stop on innovations. As a business owner now, you will think twice before hiring anyone in France. Especially young and inexperienced people, because the cost of hiring an underperforming person is extremely high. Maybe someone will even ditch the idea of starting a business in the first place. Starting a new business is all about calculating the risks versus potential profit. The more corporate taxes you have, the more labor laws and unions - more chances of a company going underwater in a lousy year. So, why bother and take all that risk upon you? Spend years building your own company, taking loans, finding and convincing investors, be stressed and under pressure all the time. Just to get bankrupt and ruin your career and reputation, while employees can just go to the next job like it's nothing. The other thing is that the free market economy(as opposed to the planned economy) is all about experiments. Your Research & Development department has an idea for a project or a product. But who knows if it's going to be good beforehand? It's impossible to tell. So you expand your staff, hire a team to do this experiment. But then it turns out not to be as good. The company starts losing money. So, with a heavy heart, you let those people go. That's how you get to make an iPhone (or any other sophisticated product). If you can't do this, you don't need a Research & Development department at all. Just stick to a proven business model and products instead. And that's when innovation stops.
Letting go often makes us feel defeated . You’ll look back later and find the reasons why it all happened. You’ve shown us your not a quitter for sure. Embrace your new journey! You’re loved!!!
Nice video.. But must be terribly hard to be a business owner in France....it sounds like its so terribly complicated for business owners to let anyone go...yikes!!
We all love you and wish nothing but the best for you and your future endeavors. How could you possibly be anything but successful?? You possess EVERYTHING needed to make it in this world !! Just remember how wonderful you are and that when life closes a door and things are looking bleak, just look for that open window of opportunity !!😍
Hi Arielle. I just went back and watched this old video of yours. I have been watching your current videos, and always wondered if you were on a work visa or had citizenship (which you mentioned in this video). As a fellow Canadian with Italian parents, I was told that I cannot get citizenship to Italy because my parents gave up their Italian citizenship before I was born. Was it not the case for your family? I really want to get my citizenship, but I keeping hitting walls. Keep up your work on RU-vid. I enjoy watching your content!
They might complain about all the strikes in France but that’s how they been able to get such strong labor laws in place. The US among others need to start learning from the French.
Wow! A lot of insight into France and their employment systems. With all of these resources I’m curious as to how the country still has a 7% unemployment rate? Is this because there aren’t always unions for every industry?
There is a downside to this level of support. It makes it difficult for entrepreneurial and small businesses especially to employ people. There are huge levels of red tape. My husband’s small UK company opened an office in Paris it was nightmare in other ways too and they ended up closing it down. It’s why, pre Brexit at least, so many younger French businesspeople were in London. Still the US is the opposite bad end of the spectrum when it comes to employee protection.
I was given economic layoff of ONE by largest clinic system in Houston immediately after very good evaluation and could only get separation package if I signed paper saying I was giving up my right to sue them. Of course, integrity is priceless. Didn't get suit served as they dodged it. But hey, search the largest clinic in Houston and make sure you never use them or work there. This was after manager cheated 2 others besides me out of differentials to the tune of $8k. Corruption in US healthcare is astonishingly horrid
In the UK, there is no support from employers if you are made redundant. Over the years, the UK government of whatever colour, has eroded employees' rights and any semblance of a social contract.
This is amazing. Where I live in the US a company did this. Tupelo-based furnishings manufacturer that recently laid off its entire staff via email and text message - received more than $3 million dollars in taxpayer money through business incentive grants since 2009. Yes they sent a text a midnight do not come in tomorrow you are laid off.
i'm happy for you that you get to stay and you seem excited about the new career option. just as some feedback on this video - you could have tightened up the bit about all the labour laws cos it was too detailed for whwt we needed to know and the bit about italian citizenship was nice but seemed a little irrelevant (e.g. are you only able to stay now cos of that or is being a business owner there enough?). i had to watch on double time to get through all that stuff to reach the main gist, which was the new business announcement. if you can tighten up your scripts and edit out the superfluous stuff it will really help. sorry, i'm not trying to be critical, just want to help you keep your audience.
Hey I am happy that wäre supported in any way you needed and found a way to stay in Europe. Being from Europe myself I can only say that at least in many Western European countries like Germany, Austria, Scandinavia, the Netherlands you usually get some kind of state benefits when you lose your job. I don't know how things work in the US or Canada so I wouldn't know any different
