What is the bonus-malus?

The bonus-malus is a modulation of the unemployment insurance contribution rate which is the responsibility of the employer.

Since 1^er may 2025, this rate is set at 4.00%. It may not be less than 2,95 % or more than 5,00 %.

The penalty corresponds to the increase in this rate and the bonus to its decrease.

The amount of the bonus or penalty is calculated based on the comparison between the separation rate of the company concerned and the median separation rate of its sector of activity.

Previously, the separation ratio is the ratio between the number of ends of employment contracts or temporary agency assignments followed by a registration of the former employee or temporary agency within 3 months at France Travail and the average annual headcount of the company.

Since 1^er March 2026, the separation ratio shall be the ratio between the number of terminations of employment contracts of less than 3 months and the average annual number of employees of the company. The following are therefore no longer taken into account:

• the termination of employment contracts with an effective duration of more than 3 months;
• the purposes of seasonal contracts;
• the purposes of employment contracts resulting from dismissal for unprofessional incapacity;
• the termination of employment contracts resulting from dismissal for gross or serious misconduct.

To whom does it apply?

The bonus-malus applies to companies with 11 or more employees belonging to the sectors of activity with an average separation rate above 150% :

• water production and distribution, sanitation, waste management and depollution;
• manufacture of rubber and plastic products and other non-metallic mineral products;
• accommodation and catering;
• transport and storage;
• manufacture of foodstuffs, beverages and tobacco products;
• other specialized, scientific and technical activities.

Since 1^er March 2026, the bonus-malus scheme no longer applies to the “Woodworking, Paper and Printing Industries” sector because its average separation rate is no longer higher than 150% over the period from 1^er January 2022 to 31 December 2024 (period used to establish the new list of sectors covered by the bonus-malus).

Current median separation rates by industry

For the application of the bonus-malus of 1^er March 2026 to February 28, 2027 (fifth modulation), the median separation rates were calculated from the end of employment contracts or temporary assignments recorded between 1^er January 2023 and December 31, 2025.

These rates are now calculated by industry subdivision. Unedic has published the new median separation rates taken into account for calculating the bonus-malus.