The mask becomes compulsory in workspaces from September 1st. Certain exemptions are possible, in rare cases.
From September 1, the protective mask against the coronavirus will be mandatory in companies where workspaces are closed and shared. All closed premises of a business, except individual offices, are affected.
In the latter, however, you will have to put on a mask when another person is in the room. It is also important in these individual offices to keep a physical distance and ventilate as much as possible.
Concerning the plexiglass plates affixed in certain enclosed places, they constitute additional measures which cannot replace the wearing of a mask.
Masks, in paper or cloth, are provided and paid for by the employer as personal safety equipment, as part of their responsibility to ensure occupational safety and health.
There are, however, a few specific cases where this can be waived.
Specific exceptions
In the first place, this obligation does not concern people who work outside. However, for the latter, it is advisable to apply the other barrier gestures: keep a minimum distance of one meter from your colleagues, wash your hands frequently, and put on a mask when a prolonged approach takes place.
Also pay attention to areas affected by the obligation to wear a mask outdoors, such as in Paris, Marseille or Toulouse for example.
Then people with health reasons can be exempt from this obligation. This is done on a medical certificate, which can be requested after examination by the occupational physician. Once again, this does not dispense with other barrier gestures. On the other hand, when possible, teleworking should be favored.
Finally, the obligation can be adapted to "respond to the specificities of certain activities or professional sectors after consulting the health authorities" specifies the text. These adaptations will be made in the sense of "operational complements of common sense" declared the Secretary of State in charge of pensions and health at work, Laurent Pietraszewski.
Apart from these cases, sanctions can be taken if the employee does not comply with the measure, as 26% of French people seem to want to do so despite the obligation (Qapa survey of August 2020).
These penalties are at the choice of the employer according to the legal possibilities in force: from a simple call to order until the layoff, or even dismissal if the refusal is repeated.
The employer does this in the name of the safety obligation he owes to his employees. They also have a safety obligation towards their colleagues.
The purpose of this legal obligation is to prevent companies from becoming the main sources of contamination.