Solidarity day: which day is worked

30-second summary:

The "journée de solidarité" (solidarity day) is an additional unpaid working day (up to 7 hours) to finance actions in favor of the autonomyof elderly or disabled people.

It is set up by collective agreement or, failing that, by decision of the employer after consultation of the CSE. It can take place on a public holiday (except May 1st), on a day of RTT, or be split into hours over the year.

At the same time, employers pay the CSA (0.30% of payroll) to the Caisse nationale de solidarité pour l'autonomie (CNSA).

1) Reminder: what is the purpose of the solidarity day?

Objective: to finance initiatives to help the elderly and disabled live independently (home help, medical-social establishments, MDPH, etc.).
For employees: an extra day's work (or unpaid work up to 7 hours; pro rata for part-time). Hours worked in excess of this are remunerated in accordance with ordinary law.
For employers: payment of the Contribution solidarité autonomie (CSA), 0.30% of payroll, allocated to the CNSA.

2) Which public holiday is worked for the elderly?

In 2025, there is no such thing as "the" mandatory holiday for the solidarity day. It's not always Whit Monday.

The date is freely set by the company through a collective agreement (or by the employer in the absence of a collective agreement), in one of three ways:

A public holiday other than May 1st (e.g. Whit Monday);
One day of RTT ;
Any method that allows 7 previously unworked hours to be worked (splitting possible).

Please note: in 2025, Whit Monday falls on June 9. Many companies still retain this date out of habit, but there's no requirement to do so.

3) Who decides and how is it set by collective agreement?

Principle: priority to negotiation (company/plant or branch agreement). Failing that, employer decision after consultation with the CSE. The agreement or decision must specify the arrangements (public holiday, RTT day, fractioning, etc.).
Legal certainty: formalize the decision (internal memo, amendment to regulations, HR calendar), adapt the rules for all-day and part-time working, and inform teams within a reasonable timeframe. The Ministry confirms that it is possible to split working hours (e.g. 2 x 3.5 hours).
Territorial exceptions (Alsace-Moselle): the solidarity day cannot be set on Good Friday or December 25 and 26. Choose another method (day of RTT, another public holiday outside the prohibited dates, or fractioning).

4) Working hours and pay: everything you need to know

Ceiling: 7 hours (or one day for employees on fixed-days). Part-time: prorated (e.g. half-time = 3.5 h). Hours worked in excess of this limit = paid (and, where applicable, additional pay).
No overtime within the meaning of the quota (the 7 hours are not counted against it), and no mandatory time off in lieu.
Minors: if the chosen date is a public holiday, employees under the age of 18 may not work (with rare exceptions).
May 1st: solidarity day prohibited on this day (statutory holiday).

5) Change of employer during the year: do I have to "redo" the day?

The law provides guarantees to avoid working several unpaid days in the same year.

If the employee has already completed the day's work for the first employer, and the second employer imposes a new date: the hours will be paid, deducted from overtime or complementary hours, and will entitle the employee to time off in lieu.

The employee may also refuse this second day without fault or grounds for dismissal.

6) FAQ

Which public holiday is worked for the elderly? There is no single day imposed by law. The company chooses a public holiday (except May 1st), an RTT day, or splits 7 hours over the year, to finance actions in favor of the autonomy of elderly or disabled people via the CSA. In 2025, many companies will choose June 9 (Whit Monday), but this is not compulsory.

Is the solidarity day "unpaid work"? Yes, up to a limit of 7 hours (or one day in the case of a package day). Beyond that, the hours are paid. For part-time work, the duration is proportional to the contract.

Can it be split up? Yes, for example: 2 × 3.5 hours or 7 × 1 hour, if your schedule allows. The conditions for splitting it up must be laid down in the agreement or internal decision.

How is solidarity financed in concrete terms? Through the CSA, 0.30% of payroll, paid exclusively by the employer, declared in the DSN and allocated to the CNSA to finance actions in favor of autonomy.

What about Alsace-Moselle? You can't set a day on Good Friday or December 25 and 26. Choose another public holiday, a day off work, or split the day.

7) HR Checklist 2025 (concrete and actionable)

Choose the method: public holiday (except May 1st), RTT day, or split the 7 hours. Avoid dates prohibited in Alsace-Moselle.
Legal certainty: priority to collective agreement; failing this, a reasoned decision by the employer after consultation with the CSE.
Clearly inform teams (who's working that day, at what times; impact of working time / RTT; hours worked in excess of paid hours).
Set payroll parameters: do not increase the 7-hour premium, prorate part-time work, exclude overtime from the quota, declare CSA (0.30%).
Special cases: minors on public holidays, fixed-days, multi-employers during the year.

8) Internal activation idea with OuiLive (game mode business)

The "journée de solidarité" (day of solidarity) touches on subjects that are popular with the general public (aging, autonomy, disability), but are often perceived as technical (working hours, RTT, payroll). To really engage your teams and clarify the rules without jargon, create a OuiLive "Impact" mobile challenge:

Objectives: to provide information on the ways in which employees can work 2025 (dates, splits, May 1st / Alsace-Moselle exceptions), to raise awareness of actions to promote autonomy, and to link the RTT / public holiday mechanism to a concrete project supported by the company.
Format: educational quizzes (+200 templates), team challenges, rankings and rewards to boost participation.
Control: rapid, turnkey launch, real-time analytics (completion rates, understanding of rules, feedback).
The result: a high take-up rate ("100% of your employees like to play"), HR/CSR messages that are understood and remembered, and a lasting impact on corporate culture.

9) Calendar 2025 quick reference

Whit Monday: June 9, 2025 (often chosen, but not imposed).
May 1: excluded for the solidarity day (statutory holiday).
Alsace-Moselle: also excluded Good Friday, December 25 and 26.

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