Entreprise
SOW SaaS: Structuring an Implementation Contract in 2026
A poorly drafted SOW is the primary cause of failure in B2B SaaS projects. Discover how to structure your deliverables, configuration phases, and contractual obligations.
9 min
HR guide 2026
Electronic signatures for HR: employment contracts and documents
Electronic signatures for employment contracts have been legally recognized in France since the Macron Ordinance of 2017 (modified article L.1221-1 of the Labor Code). This guide explains how to use them correctly for employment contracts, amendments, severance agreements, and other HR documents.
Updated
Legal framework: electronic signatures in labor law
Article L.1221-1 of the French Labor Code authorizes employment contracts to be concluded electronically. The required signature level depends on the contract type: SES or AES for most permanent/fixed-term contracts, and enhanced evidentiary value (AES) recommended for termination agreements and representation mandates.
- Permanent/Fixed-term contract: AES signature recommended (SMS/email OTP)
- Amendment: same level as initial contract
- Termination agreement: AES recommended with OTP
- Temporary contract: verify applicable collective agreements
HR documents that can be electronically signed
Employment contract (permanent, fixed-term, part-time)
Amendment to employment contract
Letter of engagement
Confidentiality agreement (NDA)
IT policy
Onboarding documents
Remote work agreement
Delegation form
Typical HR workflow with Certyneo
- 1
Create your contract template
Import your Word or PDF model. Define fields to fill (name, position, salary) and signature zones.
- 2
Enter candidate information
Name, email and phone of the future employee. Certyneo automatically sends the authentication OTP.
- 3
Send the contract
The employee receives an email with a secure link. They review and sign from any device.
- 4
Archive automatically
The signed PDF with audit trail is archived for 10 years. Exportable anytime 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 Labor Code explicitly authorizes the conclusion of employment contracts electronically. Advanced electronic signature (AES) via OTP is recommended for its evidentiary value.
- What eIDAS signature level for a permanent employment contract?
- The law does not specify a minimum level, but practitioners and legal experts recommend AES (Advanced eIDAS Signature) with SMS OTP for employment contracts. Certyneo includes AES starting with 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 phone.
- How do you archive signed contracts?
- Certyneo automatically archives each signed contract for 10 years with its timestamped audit trail. PDFs are downloadable anytime from your dashboard, individually or in bulk.