France smokers take to the street

"Pedestrians in Paris are used to dodging déjections canines (dog-poop), but these days a new hazard is blocking the French capital's pavements: smokers fleeing the country's new anti-tobacco law", comments the British weekly. "On February 1st France followed a European trend by making it illegal to smoke in offices, so forcing staff out into the streets to light up. The country's strict working-time rules, though, add a particular French twist: should smoking breaks be counted as part of the 35-hour week? ... The street is the last refuge, and employers have been in delicate negotiations over how to count pavement time. To the outrage of some, several companies have decided to clock out staff as they leave the building for a smoke, and deduct the time from working hours."

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