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SOW SaaS: Structuring an Implementation Contract in 2026
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HR guide 2026
Electronic signatures for HR: employment contracts and documents
In France, the Labor Code leaves the parties free to choose the form of the employment contract (Article L1221-1), and Articles 1366 and 1367 of the Civil Code give electronically signed writing the same probative force as paper. This guide explains how to use it correctly for employment contracts, amendments, end-of-contract documents and other HR documents.
Updated
Legal framework: electronic signatures in labor law
Article L1221-1 of the French Labor Code subjects the employment contract to general contract law and lets the parties choose its form: combined with Articles 1366 and 1367 of the Civil Code, it allows the contract to be concluded by electronic signature. The required signature level depends on the contract type: SES or AES for the majority of permanent and fixed-term contracts, with reinforced evidential value (AES) recommended for powers of representation. The rupture conventionnelle form (TéléRC), however, is signed by hand.
- Permanent/Fixed-term contract: AES signature recommended (SMS/email OTP)
- Amendment: same level as initial contract
- Rupture conventionnelle: TéléRC form signed by hand
- 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.