What is a temporary contract of employment (CDI)?

Verified 01 January 2024 - Legal and Administrative Information Directorate (Prime Minister)

A temporary work company (ETT) may conclude with the employee a temporary contract for the performance of successive assignments.

The employment contract may provide for periods without the performance of a mission, referred to as intermission periods. These periods shall be treated as actual working time for the determination of entitlement to paid leave and for seniority.

When the employee is in an intermission situation, he must be available for any mission to be performed.

Please note

the temporary contract must not be confused with the temporary contract.

The interim DTA does not have a maximum duration.

Mandatory particulars

The interim DTA shall be drawn up in writing.

It shall contain the following mandatory particulars:

  • Identity of ETT and employee
  • Conditions relating to working hours, including night work
  • Hours during which the employee must be reachable during periods without performing the assignment
  • Mobility perimeter in which the missions take place
  • Description of the jobs corresponding to the employee's qualifications
  • Amount of minimum guaranteed monthly remuneration
  • Obligation to provide the employee with a letter of assignment for each of the assignments he performs

Mission Letter

The letter of assignment shall include the following information:

  • Professional qualification and employment of the employee
  • Amount of remuneration for the mission
  • Location of mission
  • The start and end dates of the engagement and the ability to modify the engagement term or renew it
  • Working hours
  • Reason for calling on the employee
  • Specific characteristics of the post to be filled

The trial period is not mandatory. However, it is binding on the employee if it is expressly provided for in the contract of employment.

The remuneration of the employee depends on his situation at the time of the period of assignment or intermission of his contract of employment.

Mission period

The employee shall be paid at the hourly rate according to the assignment he or she is performing.

Intermission period

The employee's employment contract shall provide for the payment of a guaranteed minimum monthly remuneration of at least €1,766.92.

The employee has a right to leave with pay which he may take during periods of intermission, under the conditions laid down in the contract of employment.

An employee on a temporary contract does not receive an end-of-service allowance, more often referred to as an end-of-service allowance precarious premium.

The interim DTA may be terminated under the usual conditions of breakdown of the CDI, at the initiative of the ETT or the employee.