A majority of private sector employees believe their aspirations are well represented by elected staff representatives, according to a Dares note released in January. The image of representatives has improved, while that of unions has followed but to a lesser extent. This 2023 survey reflects a context of social tensions related to pension reform.
The Directorate for Research, Studies and Statistics (Dares) released a note on January 8 from a large-scale survey conducted in 2023 with over 30,000 private sector employees, excluding agriculture, in companies with at least 11 staff. This survey, carried out every six years for over three decades, indicates an improvement in the perception of employee representatives among workers. A majority of them feel that their "aspirations" are well conveyed by these elected officials who sit on company representation bodies.
The image of unions is also improving, though more modestly. Opinions remain mixed, especially regarding these actors' ability to influence employers. This analysis comes amid the mobilization against pension reform, which sparked intense debates.
Furthermore, the findings follow the September 2017 ordinances that merged employee representation bodies. These changes, resulting from professional elections, have been criticized by many elected officials for distancing them from the field and burdening them with excessive responsibilities. Despite these challenges, the Dares note highlights a positive trend for social dialogue in the private sector.