Recruiting in France requires compliance with a strict regulatory framework, particularly regarding occupational health. For a foreign company, administrative complexity, the diversity of medical actors, and legal obligations can quickly become time-consuming. Here are our recommendations for effectively managing occupational health obligations for companies without an establishment in France (ESEF).
Employer Obligations Regarding Occupational Health in France
From the moment a company, whether based in France or abroad, employs staff in France, it must comply with certain occupational health obligations. These include scheduling various medical examinations for each employee:
- Information and prevention visit: the « pre-employment medical examination, » which must be carried out upon the employee’s entry into the company.
- Periodic medical examination: a continuation of the pre-employment medical examination, allowing monitoring of the employee’s health. It must take place at least every five years.
- Enhanced individual monitoring: applies to employees exposed to specific risks (e.g., asbestos, lead, hyperbaric risk).
- Return-to-work examination: conducted after a long sick leave (from 30 days), following occupational disease, maternity leave, or a work accident.
- Mid-career medical examination: from age 45, this examination ensures the employee’s position remains suitable for their health.
Failure to perform these medical examinations for each employee may result in sanctions for the employer:
- A fine of €1,500 (Article R4745-1 of the Labor Code).
- Imprisonment of four months and a fine of €3,750 in case of repeat offenses within three years (Article L4745-1).
Outsourcing: The Best Option for ESEF
Without premises in France, it is difficult for a foreign company to manage the full complexity of French labor law. Therefore, outsourcing is the best solution for companies without an establishment in France (ESEF).
- Significant time savings for the HR team: For an HR team already under pressure (and even more so when operating in an unfamiliar legal environment), managing medical examinations can quickly become a considerable time burden. Outsourcing allows delegating all obligations to specialized experts.
- Centralized management of all medical centers: In France, each location depends on a different occupational health center according to its geographical area. For a company operating in multiple cities or regions, this fragmentation can be challenging. An external partner provides a single point of contact capable of coordinating all medical centers in France.
- Regular appointment management and monitoring: In France, each employee must attend mandatory medical examinations according to a strict schedule. Monitoring deadlines is therefore essential but particularly difficult for companies without local presence. A specialized provider ensures proactive follow-up: reminders, appointment scheduling, verification of legal deadlines, record updates, and cancellation management.
- Total cost control: Outsourcing provides clear cost visibility through transparent pricing and optimized management. The provider identifies unnecessary expenses, prevents penalties due to regulatory non-compliance, and allows better forecasting. Result: reinforced budget control and fully controlled investment.
Our Expertise and Know-How for ESEF
By choosing Projinvest Services, you benefit from services perfectly adapted to companies under ESEF status:
- Registration formalities with occupational health centers.
- Organization and follow-up of appointments (pre-employment, periodic, return-to-work, spontaneous requests, specific medical monitoring).
- Management of quarterly, semi-annual, and annual workforce declarations.
- Management of contribution calls.
- Legal monitoring regarding medical examination obligations.
- Sending convocations and reminders by email to employees and/or referents.
- Power of attorney authorizing Projinvest Services to represent the client with medical centers.
Want to know more? Contact us for detailed information about our services and a personalized quote.