France's ban keeping stores from being open late at night does not run afoul of the country's constitution, a top court has ruled. Cosmetics retailer Sephora had hoped to keep its flagship Paris store open until midnight. Instead, the shop must observe the traditional closing time of 9 p.m., according to the ruling.
The issue, France's Constitutional Council court says, is one of balance between free enterprise and rules that protect workers' health, according to Le Parisien newspaper.
NPR's Eleanor Beardsley reports for our Newscast unit:
"Sephora says the court's decision goes against the right to conduct enterprise. Until September and the lawsuit by unions, Sephora kept its main Champs-Elysees store open until midnight and 1 a.m. on weekends, to capitalize on late-night tourist shopping.
"French unions have long fought retailers' encroachment into night and Sunday work, which is still taboo in France.
"French labor law says companies can ask employees to work between 9:00 pm and 6:00 a.m. — but such shifts must be 'exceptional,' not the rule.
"The court ruled the law provides the right balance between the freedoms needed to manage a company and requirements on "protecting the health and rest" of workers.
"The court's decision was in complete contrast to the new French government's vow to tackle unemployment. But the taboo on Sunday and night work is so entrenched in French culture that no one seemed to notice the incongruity."