Only 27% of French people say they feel fulfilled at work

Shaken by the covid era, the relationship with work continues to evolve. Employees, now in a position of strength in a tight labor market, now have new aspirations and, in particular, lead fulfilling careers in a company that cultivates well-being.

And even if companies have made efforts, especially in terms of hybrid work (first and foremost to retain talent), it seems that satisfaction has not yet arrived.

According to a study* conducted by Forrester for Indeed, while 48% of respondents indicate that their expectations related to happiness at work have increased compared to the previous year, only 27% of employees say they are met at work.

“Lack of investment by French companies”

Especially since 66% of them emphasize that their employer guarantees their well-being at work.

Unfortunately, only 31% of respondents say their company prioritizes employee well-being over profits. And 39% of respondents believe their management shows they care about how employees feel at work.

As is usually the case, it is the youngest people who are most aware of this issue.

65% of people ages 18-26 (Gen Z) believe their well-being at work has an impact on their quality of life compared to 59% of people ages 43-58 (Gen X). And 62% of Gen Z employees believe their well-being at work impacts their overall life satisfaction compared to 58% of Gen X employees.

This low job satisfaction among the French has a counterexample, the study highlights: the Netherlands, where 34% of employees say they are satisfied, that is, 7 points more than in France.

Key factor in loyalty or attractiveness

Better yet, 47% of Dutch respondents think that companies do everything they can to improve well-being and happiness; compared to 40% of French respondents and 37% of German employees.

64% of French respondents consider it important to be able to consult data related to well-being when considering joining a company. “Therefore, the latter have every interest in focusing on well-being, also in times of talent shortage,” Indeed underlines.

*: online survey conducted among 1,508 employees in France to assess their general well-being at work. Survey participants are working adults (i.e., people over the age of 18 who work full or part-time, or who have been unemployed for less than two years and are open to new opportunities). The study began in February 2023 and ended in March 2023.