Michel Barnier has announced new negotiations to “improve” the 2023 pension reform. However, the concrete working conditions of employees are a key factor in whether or not they will accept or refuse to continue working after the age of sixty, yet this crucial issue seems to be overlooked. In the 2025 budget bill, the government proposes to cut the budget of the National Agency for the Improvement of Working Conditions by 25% without sparking any particular reactions. This raises the question of whether work has overall become easier than in the 1970s, when struggles against “alienating” work and “hellish work rhythms” mobilized unions and intellectuals.
Research in various sectors shows that working conditions are deteriorating, particularly due to increased control and surveillance through new technologies. This situation has an impact on the mental and physical well-being of employees. Having the means to do quality work is a proven factor in psychological well-being; workers with significant autonomy generally have better health. Taylorism has extended beyond factories and lean management, which sometimes replaces it, has even more disastrous consequences. In call centers, managers record and control the duration of each call in real time. In logistic warehouses, operators scan all products and are in constant communication with voice robots to report each of their gestures. Some continue this mechanical dialogue even at night, speaking in their sleep.
Many other activities, some of which are qualified and in the public sector, are affected. Many telecommuters have their activities monitored remotely, with tools that count, for example, the number of clicks on their mouse. Computer developers are increasingly required to plan their activities in great detail in advance, sometimes inventing false tasks to give themselves time to breathe and think, essential conditions for innovation. Teaching researchers are not immune and must build their careers on the number of publications in “starred” journals, the only element valued by international rankings.
Despite the negative impact on workers’ well-being, surveillance and control in the workplace are becoming more widespread across various sectors. The pressure to constantly perform and be monitored can take a toll on employees’ mental and physical health. The prevalence of surveillance technologies and management practices like lean management raise concerns about the quality of work life and the overall impact on individuals. The government’s proposed budget cuts to the National Agency for the Improvement of Working Conditions without significant opposition raise questions about how seriously the issue of working conditions is being taken.
Overall, it is important to consider the effects of surveillance and control on workers’ overall well-being and mental health. Improving working conditions and autonomy in the workplace is crucial for maintaining a healthy and productive workforce. The widespread use of new technologies for monitoring and control highlights the need for a more nuanced approach to workplace management that takes into account the impact on employees’ health and quality of life. Discussions and negotiations around the 2023 pension reform should consider these issues to ensure a well-rounded approach to improving the overall working conditions for employees.
