Leave of representation for members of an association
Verified 07 July 2026 - Public Service / (Prime Minister)
You are a member of a association law 1901 or covered by theAlsace-Moselle and are called upon to represent it in a body (for example at a meeting of an administrative commission or a public or joint body)? You can benefit from a so-called leave of representation. We present you the information to know.
Employee
If you are an employee and are appointed as a representative of an association or a mutual, you can take representation leave to sit on one of its bodies and participate in its meetings.
These may include:
- National Habitat Council
- National Conciliation Commission
- Departmental Council for Housing
- Section for public housing subsidies.
Please note
Representation leave is reserved for meetings of bodies or commissions for which association representatives are officially appointed. It does not allow to participate in internal meetings of the association (general assembly, board of directors, office...).)
In principle, the maximum number of employees per establishment who may be granted representation leave during a year is fixed by a collective agreement or a collective agreement.
In the absence of a collective agreement, the maximum number of employees, per establishment, who may benefit from the leave during a year shall be as follows:
Number of employees in the establishment | Number of employees eligible for leave |
|---|---|
Less than 50 | 1 |
50 to 99 | 2 |
100 to 199 | 3 |
200 to 499 | 8 |
500 to 999 | 10 |
1 000 to 1 999 | 12 |
From 2 000 | 12 + 2 per additional 1,000 employees |
In principle, the length of leave to represent an association or a mutual is fixed by a collective agreement or collective agreement.
In the absence of a collective agreement, the maximum duration of the leave is 9 working days per year.
Leave of representation may be split into half days.
Leave of representation does not affect your paid leave entitlements and all other rights related to your employment contract.
FYI
Collective agreements or agreements may provide for more favorable provisions (longer duration, wage retention or shorter application period).
In principle, the time frame within which you must send your leave request to your employer is also set out in a collective agreement or collective agreement.
In the absence of a collective agreement, you must address your request to your employer at least 15 days before the start of the leave.
You must specify the date, the duration of the absence envisaged and the body in which you are called to sit.
It is advisable to attach a copy of your summons as soon as this request is made to facilitate its examination by your employer.
If your employer believes that your absence may disrupt the smooth running of the company, he has the option of refusing your leave after consulting the Social and Economic Committee (CSE).
In companies with fewer than 11 employees, this allowance is also available. Your employer is responsible for providing you with the necessary certification, even in the absence of CSE.
Its decision to refuse must be notified in the 4 days upon receipt of your request. It must be argued.
It may be challenged by referred to the labor court.
If your leave request has not been granted, you will be given priority when making a new request.
The refusal must be justified by the consequences of your absence on the functioning of the company. It cannot be motivated by your associative commitment.
The department responsible for convening the proceeding must provide you with a certificate of attendance at the end of the meeting. Next, you must give the document to your employer.
Your employer may decide not to pay for the hours of leave or to pay them in part or in full.
When the salary is not maintained or partially maintained, your employer will provide you with a certificate indicating the number of unpaid hours.
For each hour that you are not paid because of the leave, you receive an hourly compensatory allowance of €12. This compensation is paid by the State or local authority to which the body in which you participate is placed. You do not have a specific request to make. You simply have to give your employer the attendance certificate that was issued to you at the end of the meeting.
Public official
If you are a public official and you are appointed as a representative of an association or a mutual, you can take representation leave to sit on one of its bodies and participate in its meetings.
This can be one of the following:
- National Habitat Council
- National Conciliation Commission
- Departmental Council for Housing
- Section for public housing subsidies.
If you are a public servant, you must be active or on secondment.
If you are a contract agent, you must be active.
Please note
Representation leave is reserved for meetings of bodies or commissions for which association representatives are officially appointed. It does not allow to participate in internal meetings of the association (general assembly, board of directors, office...).)
Leave may be granted up to a maximum number of days per year by:
- central administration,
- service under national jurisdiction,
- decentralized service,
- local authority
- or by public institution.
Number of public officials employed | Number of days of leave that can be allocated per year |
|---|---|
Less than 50 | 9 |
50 to 99 | 18 |
100 to 199 | 27 |
200 to 499 | 72 |
500 to 999 | 90 |
1 000 to 1 999 | 108 |
From 2 000 | 108 + 18 days per year per additional 1,000 staff |
The maximum duration of leave shall be 9 working days per year.
It can be split into half days.
You must make your leave request in writing at least 15 days before the leave start date.
You must specify the date and duration of the planned absence.
Your request must be accompanied by a copy of your summons to the relevant body.
It is recommended that you keep a copy of your application and the supporting documents sent to your administration.
Leave of absence is granted on the basis of service requirements.
If your request is refused, the administration must tell you the reasons.
Leave of representation is cumulative, up to a limit of 12 working days in total per year, with leave for trade union training and training leave for managers and youth workers.
In other words, these holidays are compatible or can be taken in the same year, without exceeding 12 days in total.
The department responsible for convening the proceeding must provide you with a certificate of attendance at the end of the meeting. Next, you must give the document to your employer.
The index salary, the residence allowance and the family salary supplement are maintained during the days of representation leave.
Leave of absence from duty is considered to be actual service for your career rights.
Who can help me?
Find who can answer your questions in your region
Leave for representation
Refusal of representation leave by employer
Leave of representation of an association or a mutual society in the public service
Ministry in charge of associative life