A big nuisance for some French people. On Tuesday, many gas stations are still experiencing supply disruptions, due to the strike movement in several refineries and fuel depots. Launched ten days ago, it was renewed for Tuesday at TotalEnergies and Esso-ExxonMobil.
According to a latest situation report released by the Ministry of Energy Transition on Monday at 6pm, 29.4% of gas stations were in trouble nationwide. A situation that penalizes many French people who cannot go to the office. Because as Audrey Richard, president of the National Association of HRDs (ANDRH) recalls, “according to the Labor Code, a shortage of gasoline is not considered a case of force majeure preventing an employee from going to work. “
“I went to the office”
Failing to find the black gold, some employees are betting on plans B. Like Marianne, who responded to our request for witnesses and lives in Meaux (Seine-et-Marne): “Since last Saturday, only one pump has been open, it is madness to access it. I went to the office (30 minutes). This is the first time in thirty-five years that this has happened to me. Remy, podiatrist, uses his electric bike: “This deficiency forces me to pedal 24/7, which is problematic when it rains. And I have to cancel some trips. “Marine’s morning program has been completely revised:“ My husband takes my first child to school on a bicycle. I stay home to watch the second. Then my husband comes back and takes him on his bicycle. And when he comes back, we go to work by public transport, “she says.
“This type of strike pushes us to move towards the acceleration of soft mobility in cities where this is possible. Carpooling is particularly encouraged. Either through an internal platform where employees post ads to offer seats in their vehicle to colleagues, or within each department, where carpooling is offered in solidarity mode “, explains Audrey Richard. This is demonstrated by Nicolas, who lives nearby. in Aubenas (Ardèche): “I drive an electric vehicle, so in the evening I can recharge as quietly as usual. On the other hand, I help my colleagues who drive in thermals if they need to be transported,” he says.
“I will stay in teleworking until the situation is corrected again”
Another solution for employees stuck at home: teleworking. “Some companies accept that the employee changes his telework days to stay at home until he has found the gasoline. Others agree to exceptionally organize a week of teleworking, ”notes Audrey Richard. Julien opted for this solution by mutual agreement with his employer: “I refuse to wait 1 hour to put 30 liters, so I have warned my employer that I will remain teleworked until the situation recovers (top November …) “, he jokes. .
Amélie, who works in Lyon and spent the weekend with her parents in Besançon, didn’t have much choice: “When I left on Sunday evening, I visited 11 petrol stations and none of them had petrol. So I warned my boss that I will work from remote and that I will come face to face as soon as I find the petrol “.
“I had to take a day off”
But some positions are not compatible with teleworking. “For the employees concerned, companies manage these situations on a case-by-case basis, adapting the organization. They can ask the employee to take a day of RTT, leave or recovery, ”explains Audrey Richard.
Tiffany, who lives in Vitesseigny (Indre-et-Loire) and works in Tours, had no choice but to sacrifice a day off: “Since I work 35 km from my house, it is not possible to go there. To go without a car. Monday I had to take a day off and on Tuesday I found a transport solution … “Ditto for Charline, a psychologist employed at Pas-de-Calais:” Unable to find diesel since Saturday. Not having had a means of transport on Monday, I had to do some hours of convalescence. “Even for Albert, no gas means no work.” But it’s not about wasting days off. I asked for a free day on Monday, “he says.
Laetitia, a caregiver at the hospital, will also have to sacrifice a day of rest if the situation is not resolved. “If nothing moves, I won’t be able to go to the hospital on Wednesday to guarantee my service. It is unacceptable that nothing is done in the Ile-de-France for the essential professions “, she complains.
