A disincentive to work

sir – For a couple of years I worked in France, where they have a system of paying up to 80 per cent of an employee’s salary after that employee becomes redundant (“Better benefits needed for newly jobless, says think tank”, report, January 16).

Many looked forward to this opportunity as a long, paid sabbatical which provided no incentive to find work until the final month of the scheme. In the meantime, they could dismiss the many opportunities of stacking shelves or driving vans. Nick Rose

Chichester, West Sussex