"When I was not increased, in my head it was over": France facing the "great resignation"

Alexandra Jaegy, edited by Laura Laplaud 7:51 a.m., July 19, 2022, modified at 7:52 a.m., July 19, 2022

This is a phenomenon that comes straight from the United States.

This is called the "great resignation".

These employees who slam the door overnight and often without warning, often surprising the company which did not see the blow coming.

Nearly 500,000 employees, on permanent contracts, have left their jobs since the beginning of 2022. The first reason that motivates these candidates to leave: salary.

"You are poorer than a year ago, it's absurd"

This is the case of Thomas, 27, who resigned in May from his commercial position.

"In my annual point, in January, when I was not increased, in my head it was over. It is true that the cost of living is increasing, you tell yourself that if your salary does not increase to side, you are poorer than a year ago, it's absurd," he says.

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In his new business, Thomas earns almost 50% more.

A departure for the money but in other sectors, such as catering, it is also to change your life.

Alain Fontaine noticed it in his Parisian restaurant, he lost nine employees, including three since the beginning of the year.

The economic consequences are significant.

“I obviously lost turnover by closing all day Sunday and Saturday lunchtime,” he regrets.

"Because I was open seven days a week."

42% of people under 35 plan to quit in the next 12 months

Financial concerns that are no longer those of employees since the health crisis, explains Danièle Linhart, sociologist of work.

"It's something that has been increased by the Covid. People have started to think more and more since you are powerless in the context of your work. You are really subject to schedules, to an imposed salary. Now , we will be rebellious in the relationship to employment, 'we will give our dem' as they say, and we will move on."

A phenomenon that should last: 42% of those under 35 even plan to resign in the next 12 months.

A study by the Confederation of Small and Medium Enterprises concerning the waves of resignations will be published in the morning.