This is the first of a series of dramas. In early January, a public finance employee left his position at the end of the day and returns home. But on the same night, he returns to his workplace. His colleagues discover it hanging the next day. Trauma for these public officials.
In six months, 13 suicides and 8 suicide attempts were counted by the CGT of the General Directorate of Public Finance, as well as throughout the year 2024. A figure twice higher than the national average in the general population.
And the phenomenon is not specific to a service or a geographical area. These are all age groups, all regions and all DGFIP structures. In response, management decided to organize a meeting on Wednesday, July 9 in the presence of unions, human resources and psychiatrists, learned BFMTV from union sources, confirming information world.
He has already announced the celebration of a systematic survey in case of suicide (either at the facilities or elsewhere), as well as the generalization of mental health training.
30,000 jobs eliminated in 15 years
In cases of suicide, it is still difficult to establish causes of cause and effect with the work environment. However, in the face of these dramas, several union sources evoke an discomfort, an agent work overload and a pressure exerted by management, but also problems of consent for taxes among the population that could degenerate the aggressiveness of the agents.
For two decades, the DGFIP has suffered reorganizations and cuts in the workforce. In total, more than 30,000 jobs were eliminated between 2008 and 2024, or approximately a quarter of the initial workforce.
This year again, 550 positions of positions should take place, in continuity of previous years. And others will continue since 3,000 deletions between 2023 and 2027 are planned.
Among the reductions of the personnel, the agents of category B and the mission of “taxes of individuals” are particularly affected. In addition, 4,000 positions were vacant in 2024, which further aggravated the reduction of the staff. Union sources denounce a deterioration in working conditions, frequent restructuring and problems of public service quality.
Reforms of magnitude and modernization
In addition, several reforms of magnitude have been carried out in recent years. We can significantly cite the generalization of the withholding tax, implemented in 2019, the elimination of the housing tax, the acceleration of the digitalization of the procedures and the generalization of the online services (such as the platform “Manage my real estate”, for example).
Agents also experienced important transformations with a territorial reorganization and the closure of numerous cash flows, the restructuring of local services and the creation of financial management centers. Some services or missions have also merged.
Therefore, unions are concerned about the consequences that this accelerated modernization has combined with a massive and continuous reduction in their workforce.
In 2020, a Union solid report has already warned about the working conditions of public finance employees. Permanent stress, loss of trust, employment cuts, the conclusions of this document were very alarming.
If you or one of your loved ones have suicidal thoughts, it is an alarm signal that must be taken very seriously.
Call at 3114, the national suicide prevention number. The line is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The call is free and confidential. A care professional (nurse or psychologist), specifically trained in suicide prevention, will be at your disposal to evaluate your situation and offer resources adapted to your needs or those of your loved ones.
In the case of an imminent suicidal risk, call Samu (15) or 112 (European number). You will find tips and resources on the site www.3114.fr, whether you are personally worried or worry one of your loved ones.
Source: BFM TV
