What is the right of alert of the Social and Economic Committee (CSE)?
Verified 04 August 2026 - Public Service / (Prime Minister)
The right of alert is one of the responsibilities of the members of the Social and Economic Committee (CSE). In accordance with specific procedures, this right of alert allows CSE members to request explanations from the employer in specific situations, which vary according to the company's workforce. How should the employer react to these different alerts? The regulations differ according to the number of employees in the company (less than 50 employees or at least 50).
Less than 50 employees
When a member of the CSE observes in the company an infringement of the rights of persons, their physical or mental health or individual freedoms, he must immediately bring the matter before the employer.
Example :
These may be acts of psychological harassment.
The employer then proceeds without delay to an investigation with the CSE member. It is taking the necessary steps to remedy the situation.
If the employer does not take any action or in case of divergence on this breach, the CSE member must notify the employee in writing that it intends to refer the matter to the labor court council.
This approach is only possible if the employee agrees.
The member of the CSE: titleContent who finds a serious and imminent danger must immediately alert the employer.
The alert shall be recorded in writing in the register of serious and imminent hazards opened by the employer.
This alert must be dated and signed. It shall include the following information:
- Workstations concerned by the cause of the identified hazard
- Nature and cause of this danger
- Names of exposed workers.
The employer immediately investigates with the CSE member who raised the alert. It is taking the necessary steps to remedy the situation.
At the end of the investigation, an information sheet is sent to the labor inspector.
In case of disagreement on the reality of the danger or the means to stop it, the employer shall convene the CSE within a maximum period of 24 hours.
The labor inspector and the employee of the Carsat: titleContent shall be informed and may attend the meeting.
Following that meeting, and in the event of disagreement between theemployer and the majority of CSE members on the measures to be taken and their conditions of implementation, the employer shall immediately refer the matter to the labor inspector. The latter may either give formal notice to the employer to take all appropriate measures, or refer the matter to the judicial judge by means of interim relief.
A member of the CSE: titleContent a person who finds in the company that the products or manufacturing processes used or used by the establishment pose a significant risk to public health or the environment shall notify his or her employer.
The alert shall be recorded in writing in a special register which has been opened by the employer.
The alert is dated and signed. It shall include the following information:
- Products or manufacturing processes used or implemented by the establishment that the CSE member believes in good faith to pose a serious risk to public health or the environment
- Possible consequences for public health or the environment
- Any other information relevant to the assessment of the recorded alert.
The employer shall examine the situation jointly with the CSE member. He informs him of the action he reserves for the alert.
In case of divergence with the employer on the merits of an alert transmitted by a member of CSE or in the absence of follow-up within 1 month, the staff representative may refer the matter to the prefect of the department.
Yes, the member of the CSE: titleContent is protected against dismissal in the exercise of its mandate.
At least 50 employees
When a member of the CSE observes in the company an infringement of the rights of persons, their physical or mental health or individual freedoms, he must immediately bring the matter before the employer.
Example :
These may be acts of psychological harassment.
The employer then proceeds without delay to an investigation with the CSE member. It is taking the necessary steps to remedy the situation.
If the employer does not take any action or in case of divergence on this breach, the CSE member must notify the employee in writing that it intends to refer the matter to the labor court council.
This approach is only possible if the employee agrees.
The member of the CSE: titleContent who finds a serious and imminent danger must immediately alert the employer.
The alert shall be recorded in writing in the register of serious and imminent hazards opened by the employer.
This alert must be dated and signed. It shall include the following information:
- Workstations concerned by the cause of the identified hazard
- Nature and cause of this danger
- Names of exposed workers.
The employer immediately investigates with the CSE member who raised the alert. It is taking the necessary steps to remedy the situation.
At the end of the investigation, an information sheet is sent to the labor inspector.
In case of disagreement on the reality of the danger or the means to stop it, the employer shall convene the CSE within a maximum period of 24 hours.
The labor inspector and the employee of the Carsat: titleContent shall be informed and may attend the meeting.
Following that meeting, and in the event of disagreement between theemployer and the majority of CSE members on the measures to be taken and their conditions of implementation, the employer shall immediately refer the matter to the labor inspector. The latter may either give formal notice to the employer to take all appropriate measures, or refer the matter to the judicial judge by means of interim relief.
A member of the CSE: titleContent a person who finds in the company that the products or manufacturing processes used or used by the establishment pose a significant risk to public health or the environment shall notify his or her employer.
The alert shall be recorded in writing in a special register which has been opened by the employer.
The alert is dated and signed. It shall include the following information:
- Products or manufacturing processes used or implemented by the establishment that the CSE member believes in good faith to pose a significant risk to public health or the environment
- Possible consequences for public health or the environment
- Any other information relevant to the assessment of the recorded alert.
The employer shall examine the situation jointly with the CSE member. He informs him of the action he reserves for the alert.
In case of divergence with the employer on the merits of an alert transmitted by a member of CSE or in the absence of follow-up within 1 month, the staff representative may refer the matter to the prefect of the department.
When the CSE: titleContent if he is aware of facts which could have a worrying effect on the economic situation of the company, he may ask the employer to provide him with explanations.
This request must be on the agenda of the next CSE meeting.
If the CSE has not been able to obtain a sufficient response from the employer, the CSE shall draw up a report.
It also reports if the employer's response confirms that the situation is of concern.
The report shall be forwarded to the employer and to the auditor.
Where a significant increase in the number of employees in CDD: titleContent or on a mission contract (interim), the CSE: titleContent alert the employer.
This increase may have occurred after the last meeting of the CSE: titleContent having touched on this subject. In such a case, this alert shall be placed on the agenda of the next CSE meeting, if the majority of the members so request.
On this occasion, the employer informs the CSE of:
- Number of employees with fixed-term employment contracts and temporary employees
- Reasons for the use of such recruitment
- Number of days worked by stakeholders since the last communication on this subject.
CSE may refer these findings to the Labor Inspectorate.
It may also do so if it is aware of facts that may characterize a misuse of this type of contract.
The employer must then specify, at the request of the labor inspectorate, the means it uses to limit the use of contracts precarious.
Yes, the member of the CSE: titleContent is protected against dismissal in the exercise of its mandate.
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CSE allocations in companies with at least 11 employees and less than 50 employees
CSE responsibilities in companies with at least 50 employees
Alert in case of violation of the rights of persons
Alert in case of serious and imminent danger
Right of economic alert
Right to social alert
Right to Alert (Serious and Imminent Danger)
Conditions for the exercise of alert and withdrawal rights
Right to Alert and Withdraw
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