Bonus payments in the food industry

The French collective bargaining agreement of the food industry (‘Convention collective nationale des 5 branches industries alimentaires diverses’) provides for two mandatory bonus payments for non-executive employees : a seniority bonus and an annual bonus.

Seniority bonus in the food industry

Certain CBAs like the CBA for advertising agencies stipulate a mandatory seniority bonus.
The CBA of the food industry provides for a seniority bonus for certain staff only: so-called ‘ouvrier et ETAM’ which includes most employee, except so-called ‘cadre’-employees (executive level staff and staff with a certain level of responsibility).
The bonus depends on the seniority of the employee. It is payable to employees with three years of service.

The amount of the seniority bonus is calculated based on the bonus base scale of the CBA of the food industry, based on the employee’s job classification. It is prorated for part time contracts.
The seniority bonus will be paid monthly and will be mentioned separately on the French Payslip.

Example: seniority bonus

Employee with 7 years of service, job classification N 2 – E 3, basic salary of € 2000 per month

Monthly salary :

Annual bonus in the food industry

In addition to the seniority bonus, the CBA of the food industry stipulates an annual bonus for certain staff (so-called ‘ouvrier et ETAM’).
The annual bonus is payable to employees with one year of seniority.

The amount of the seniority bonus is calculated based on a specific base scale ‘RMGH’ of the CBA of the food industry, based on the employee’s job classification. It is prorated for the time of presence, notably in case of new starters and leavers.
It can be paid in one or several instalments. Up to its amount, it is non-cumulative with any other bonus having an annual nature, as long as it has the same purpose (end of year bonus, 13th month salary…).

Example: annual bonus

Employee with 7 years of service, job classification N 2 – E 3

Many collective bargaining agreements provide for mandatory bonus payments, such as a seniority bonus, annual bonus or vacation bonus. When hiring an employee in France, it is essential to be familiar with these particularities. The mandatory bonus payments in the food industry are just one example.