Baker fined for overworking - but can long hours damage your health?

A French baker has been fined for remaining open seven days a week during the tourist season, according to CNN.

Cedric Vaivre wanted to take advantage of the influx of holidaymakers but ended up falling foul of a law that states bakeries must remain closed at least one day a week. As a result, he was hit with a fine of €3000 (£2,614.88), according to French media.

France is known for taking a strong stance on the importance of work-life balance. Government rules enforced a 35-hour work week in 2000, and workers have a “right to disconnect” – allowing them to ignore business emails that arrive after hours.

This approach seems to be having a positive effect – or at least does not have a negative one. OECD data ranks France’s GDP per hour worked as $66.7 (£47.14), compared with the UK’s $52.7 (£37.25).