The employer is obliged to inform the employees by all means when risks arise. The Social and Economic Committee (CSE) and its possible Health, Safety and Working Conditions Committee (CHSCT) therefore have an important role in crisis situations.
The CSE’s mission is to promote health, safety and the improvement of working conditions in the company.
In addition, in companies with more than 50 employees, the CSE is informed and consulted on issues relating to the organization, management and general running of the company, in particular on working hours or conditions of employment, work and vocational training, as well as on any significant change in health and safety conditions or working conditions.
This is the case for :
- significant changes in work organization;
- the use of partial activity ;
- exemptions from the rules on working hours and rest periods.
Usually, the decisions of the employer concerning the above matters must be preceded by the collection of the opinion of the CSE, which must be informed of the meeting during which it will be consulted at least 3 days in advance.
However, if the urgency requires it, the employer may take precautionary measures to organize the work before having carried out the consultation.
The use of video-conferencing is encouraged if necessary to avoid physical contact and if the urgency requires it, the employer may take precautionary measures to organize the work before having carried out the consultation.
The committee may be convened at the motivated request of two of its members, on subjects relating to health, safety or working conditions.
If a member of the CSE notes that there is a cause of serious and imminent danger, in particular through an employee who has exercised his right of withdrawal, he immediately notifies the employer or his representative and records this notice in writing in a register provided for this purpose.
The procedure provided for in Articles L. 4132-2 et seq. of the French Labor Code is then applied.