Workplace Culture in France: Hierarchy, Lunch, Leave.

Start with JARI.

Working in France when you come from Korea means discovering different codes: the relationship with hierarchy, the sacred lunch break, holidays, e-mails, the right to disconnect. Cultural misunderstandings can be costly. JARI's Professional Services decode French workplace culture and review your professional e-mails so you fit in quickly and smoothly.

Hierarchy: flatter, but real.

French hierarchy is less rigid than in Korea: you can express disagreement or suggest an idea to your manager. But respect is still expected. You use the formal "vous" by default, until "tu" is offered — often quickly in start-ups, later elsewhere.

The lunch break: a real moment.

Lunch is a ritual: often a real one-hour break, at the table, with colleagues. Eating alone at your screen is frowned upon. It's a key moment to build relationships — accept invitations to lunch and to coffee.

Working time, RTT, and holidays.

The legal week is 35 hours; beyond that, many employees accrue RTT (days off). Employees get at least 5 weeks of paid leave per year. Many companies slow down in August: plan your projects around the summer holidays.

E-mails: mind the form.

The French professional e-mail is more formal than elsewhere: an opening ("Bonjour Madame / Monsieur"), a clear body, and a closing politeness formula ("Cordialement," "Bien à vous"). Avoid a tone that's too blunt or too casual at first.

The right to disconnect.

In France, you're not expected to answer messages outside working hours or during leave: this is the right to disconnect. Working endless hours isn't valued in itself; efficiency is what counts.

Small habits that matter.

• Say "bonjour" when you arrive and "bonne journée" when you leave.
• Punctuality at meetings.
• The "pot" (team drinks) for a departure, a birthday, a success: a real bonding moment.

Get support.

Decoding the hierarchy, writing e-mails in the right tone, understanding leave and customs: rely on JARI's Professional Services to avoid missteps and fit into your team fast.

Going further.

Round it out with Finding a job in France, the job interview, and the everyday codes in Café & art of living.

Useful links.

• service-public.fr — droit du travail
• France Travail