The Macron scale or the restriction of the unpredictability of compensation for dismissal without real and serious cause[Le barème Macron ou la restriction de l’imprévisibilité de l’indemnisation d’un licenciement sans cause réelle et sérieuse]

Established by Ordinance No. 2017-1387 of 22 September 2017, the Macron scale was deemed to be in line with the international commitments of the France by the Social Chamber of the Court of Cassation taking into account the exceptions it establishes. Now consolidated, the fact remains that it clashes with certain principles of our law. It obeys a desire to limit the unpredictability of the amount of compensation set by the judges. In practice, this is essentially in favour of the employer, but also creates certain inequalities between employees. The criticism to which it is subject must be an opportunity to reflect again on the purpose of compensation for dismissal without real and serious cause. It must relate to the items of damage compensated in the light of the damage actually suffered and demonstrated. In view of the latest decision rendered by the European Committee of Social Rights on 23 March 2022, considering that the scale is not in conformity with the European Social Charter, it is not excluded that this reflection will be quickly put back on the agenda of doctrinal reflections and in the legal grounds invoked before the labour courts.