Electronic signature for HR: employment contracts and documents
Electronic signature of employment contracts has been legally recognised in France since the Macron Ordinance of 2017 (amended article L.1221-1 of the French Labour Code). This guide explains how to use it correctly for employment contracts, amendments, mutual terminations and other HR documents.
Legal framework: electronic signature in employment law
Article L.1221-1 of the French Labour Code authorises the conclusion of an employment contract by electronic means. The required signature level depends on the type of contract: SES or AES for most permanent/fixed-term contracts, and enhanced probative value (AES) recommended for settlement agreements and representation mandates.
- Permanent/Fixed-term contract: AES signature recommended (OTP SMS/email)
- Amendment: same level as the initial contract
- Settlement agreement: AES recommended with OTP
- Temporary contract: check applicable collective agreements
HR documents that can be electronically signed
Typical HR workflow with Certyneo
- 1
Create your contract template
Import your Word or PDF model. Define fields to fill in (name, position, salary) and signature zones.
- 2
Enter candidate information
Name, email and telephone of the future employee. Certyneo automatically sends the authentication OTP.
- 3
Send the contract
The employee receives an email with a secure link. They can view and sign from any device.
- 4
Archive automatically
The signed PDF with audit trail is archived for 10 years. Exportable at any time from your dashboard.
Frequently asked questions — Electronic signature and HR
- Is an electronically signed employment contract valid?
- Yes. Article L.1221-1 of the French Labour Code expressly authorises the conclusion of an employment contract by electronic means. Advanced electronic signature (AES) via OTP is recommended for its probative value.
- What level of eIDAS signature for a permanent employment contract?
- The law does not specify a minimum level, but practitioners and legal experts recommend AES (eIDAS Advanced Signature) with SMS OTP for employment contracts. Certyneo includes AES from the Personal plan (€9/month).
- Does the employee need to create an account to sign?
- No. The employee receives an email link, reviews the contract and signs in a few clicks, without creating an account. Authentication is done via OTP sent to their email or telephone.
- How do I archive signed contracts?
- Certyneo automatically archives each signed contract for 10 years with its timestamped audit trail. PDFs are downloadable at any time from your dashboard, individually or in bulk.