French office workers can now experience the precious American pastime of quickly abolishing a bland salad at their desks … without breaking the law.
So far, French labor laws have banned people from eating meals in the workplace, according to The Local fr.
But a government decision that went into effect on Monday relaxed the rules due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Before the pandemic, French workers traditionally enjoyed multiple-course lunches at local eateries with colleagues.
But the new rules make it easier for those who still have to go to the office to have a safe and socially remote meal.
The change – which is only temporary – applies to businesses with more than 50 employees.
The new measure also recommends that employees limit ‘moments of sociability’, including coffee breaks and hanging out with their colleagues, according to the report.
Workers are generally still encouraged to work again, but a refund in January allowed employees to visit the office once a week if their employer deemed it necessary.
In the European country, there is not a short lunch for the desk, Local fr remarked. There were more and more American eating habits, and some French office workers were actually surprised to learn that the ban was still in the books.