The aspirations of young employees, focused on autonomy and personal fulfillment, often unsettle employers. According to a narrative in Le Figaro, managers note behaviors such as early office departures and frequent sick leaves. Generation Alpha, born after 2010 and shaped by AI, will face major challenges.
In an article published on March 12, 2026, in Le Figaro, Anne de Guigné examines tensions between employers and young recruits. Older managers describe frustrating situations. "At 5:50 p.m., they start tidying their desks; by 6:01 p.m., everyone is gone!" illustrates one executive.
Young people refuse extended hours, extra responsibilities, and take vacations at the least convenient times for the company. They prioritize well-being, viewing work as an interruption between leisure activities. Concrete examples include a supermarket with 110 employees where two under-30 staff have been on sick leave for months without updates, forcing the use of temporary workers. An industrialist reports the sudden loss of a talented salesperson.
These aspirations indicate a broader shift toward autonomy. Generation Alpha, raised with artificial intelligence, will confront immense societal and professional challenges.