“We may be witnessing the emergence of a right to fulfillment at work”

Un study of November 21, 2022 by the IFOP shows that work is perceived more as a constraint than as a source of fulfilment, while another study of March 15, 2023 by Cevipof challenges us to the extent of the crisis in our relationship to work. Unfortunately, these results are not surprising and the current mobilization once morest raising the retirement age is symptomatic of this distrust of the world of work.

However, by working 36.9 hours on average per week, the French devote regarding two hours more to it than the legal weekly duration of 35 hours, according to the Direction of the animation of research, studies and statistics (Dares) . This effective weekly duration is certainly lower than that of other countries whose economy is comparable to France (Germany, United Kingdom, etc.) but on the whole, the French are not reluctant to work.

On the other hand, it is the level of job dissatisfaction that is alarming. The French are on average much less satisfied with their professional life than with their personal life. According to a study commissioned by Fabrique Spinoza, money, governance, recognition and relationships at work are considered unsatisfactory by a majority of respondents. In addition, 49% of respondents feel it is impossible to change their work and organizational practices; while 25% of respondents are bored at work.

Work, a form of personal development

In fact, the world of work is unsatisfactory, but there is no rejection of work as such. On the other hand, they are once morest a work relationship in which fulfillment is difficult, if not impossible. This paradox is also expressed by the fact that the reduction of weekly working time is no longer a priority demand. We no longer seek to work less, but to work better.

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Moreover, the debate has now shifted to working conditions and the meaning of professional life, as shown by the study by the NewGen Talent Center of Edhec in January 2023 conducted among students from schools of management.

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While salaried work required a form of personal self-sacrifice, the younger generations – especially the most qualified – increasingly want work to contribute to their emancipation. For them, work is no longer this activity which consists in making their time, body and skills available in exchange for a salary, but it is more and more akin to a form of personal development.

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