Baker fined for ‘working too hard’ after keeping his business open seven days a week

Cedric Vaivre, 41, received the punishment for keeping his business open seven days a week during the summer of 2017.

This broke strict employment laws in a country that still views a day of rest as being essential for everybody.

But those who rely on Mr Vaivre for their baguettes and croissants said it was ‘disgusting’ that he was being treated so shoddily.

They include Christian Branle, the mayor of Lusigny-sur-Barse, 120 miles south-east of Paris, where Mr Vaivre’s Lake Bakey is situated.

Mr Branle said: “These kind of laws are killing our businesses.

vCard QR Code

vCard.red is a free platform for creating a mobile-friendly digital business cards. You can easily create a vCard and generate a QR code for it, allowing others to scan and save your contact details instantly.

The platform allows you to display contact information, social media links, services, and products all in one shareable link. Optional features include appointment scheduling, WhatsApp-based storefronts, media galleries, and custom design options.

“You have to show some common sense if you’re a small rural community in an area where there is not a lot of competition.”

Referring to the influx of tourists Lusigny receives during the summer months, Mr Branle said: “We need to allow people to work when visitors need this service.”

More than 500 people have now signed a petition supporting Mr Vaivre, who is currently refusing to pay the fine.

Local labour laws in the Aube department, in which Lusigny is situated, state that small businesses can only work six days out of seven maximum.

There are exceptions to the regulations, but the Lake bakery lost its right to ignore the law in early 2017.

France has a traditionally strict attitude towards work, upholding the 35-hour working week, and informally guaranteeing long breaks for lunch and the whole of August off.

Confirming Mr Vaivre’s fine, an official at the Aube regional council said it was designed to protect workers from exploitation.

He said this was “particularly important in regards to small businesses” where a handful of people could technically be working non-stop.

The source added: “In this case, some may consider the fine is for working too hard, but in fact it’s all about looking after the business.”

Bakers are part of one of the most strictly regulated industries in France, with the authorities viewing the provision of bread as a sacred right.

In 1995, legislation was passed guaranteeing bakers a minimum five weeks off every year, but town halls are still allowed to regulate opening hours.

In Paris, for example, bakeries are split into two selected groups – one that can close in July, and another that closes in August.

Such a division is, however, much harder to enforce in countryside areas such as the one around Lusigny-sur-Barse, which has a population of less than 2000.

This leads to regular convictions for bakers who ignore employment legislation.


🕐 Top News in the Last Hour By Importance Score

# Title 📊 i-Score
1 Ben Affleck BLASTS Hollywood film industry as he reveals why A-Listers are fleeing California 🔴 75 / 100
2 Explosion destroys building at Northrop Grumman rocket test site in Utah 🔴 75 / 100
3 States bid to host a revamped NASA headquarters 🔴 72 / 100
4 Watch: Italy floods lead to dramatic rescue from top of car 🔴 65 / 100
5 FSU shooting suspect's complex past comes to light – yet motive remains a mystery 🔴 65 / 100
6 New colour seen for the first time by tricking the eyes 🔵 55 / 100
7 Yankees’ Chisholm suspended for one game over ejection and in-game tweet 🔵 45 / 100
8 Haunting new Netflix serial killer documentary already has fans 'traumatised' 🔵 42 / 100
9 Ronnie O'Sullivan sends World Championship warning as seven-time winner admits 'I've lost my bottle' ahead of Crucible opener 🔵 32 / 100
10 Switch 2 Marketing Officially Starts In Japan As Nintendo Rolls Out Billboards 🔵 32 / 100

View More Top News ➡️