Digital nomadism, global worker or teleworking are terms that have invaded the web since the Covid crisis. Although articles and reports on such practices, which have changed the organization of work, are multiplying in newspapers and on the Internet, the reality on the ground varies from one country to another. Indeed, we are not all equal when it comes to remote working. A IFOP study, carried out at the beginning of 2022, clearly determines the position of France and the French. Let’s dissect these results!
Position of France in comparison with its neighbors
Would you like to work from home or become a digital nomad, but your company doesn't seem very supportive of such a proposition? You are surely not the only one. Indeed, it seems that many French employers prefer presenteeism to teleworking.
The figures attesting to France's delay
Until January 2022, France had only 34 % active professionals who practice teleworking. This is a far cry from the statistics recorded in the other countries of the European big five. In fact, Germany records 61 % fans of remote working. We then find Italy with 56 %, the United Kingdom with 50 % and Spain which is at 43 %.
Fewer teleworking days in France
This timid French support for this practice which is revolutionizing the world of employment is also readable through the number of days per week devoted to it. Thus, we note that 30 % Italians use it on average 4 to 5 days out of 7 compared to 11 % among the French. We also note that elsewhere those who do it more than 4 times a week are more numerous than those who do it less than twice. This is reversed in France. So, we are clearly lagging behind our neighbors.
Teleworking in France: between desire and reality
But a question arises at this point. Is it really the employers’ fault?
Low aspirations among French employees
This questioning becomes even more legitimate when we know that the French workers questioned on the subject declare that the ideal average frequency they would like would be 1.8 days per week. The English would like to be able to do it twice a week. The Germans claim 2.2 days out of 7 compared to 2.4 for the Italians. As for the Spanish, they are the most receptive to this new way of working and would prefer to be able to devote at least 2.7 days to it each week.
Employees resigned to working in the office?
We could therefore think at this stage that it is not the companies which prevent employees from devoting themselves to their dream of digital nomadism. However, experts in sociology see things differently. According to them, these figures reflect resilience on the part of employees. The latter would then be convinced that they could not benefit from a longer duration.
Differences in adherence to teleworking according to age and CSP
We can understand the divide that there may be between people currently active in France by dividing them according to their socio-professional categories and their ages.
Young French people are less keen on teleworking than their European neighbors
Regarding age, know that France once again stands out compared to the 5 other countries. Indeed, if elsewhere young people are those who are most in favor of teleworking, in France, it is those over 35 who prefer to use it. This can be explained in various ways depending on the words of the subjects who have just entered the job market. We must first take into account the fact that these young people may dream of autonomy, but they speak of a need to benefit from a "real" work environment where they can socialize with their colleagues. On the one hand, this age group is currently experiencing a great job insecurity and the small jobs she manages to land do not seem eligible for teleworking.
CSP+ better candidates for teleworking than others
In terms of socio-professional category, France's support for teleworking does not differ from that of Germany, Spain and the United Kingdom. Indeed, in France, as elsewhere, CSP+ are more favorable than others to teleworking. Among the French, there is a difference of 21 points between the two categories (83 % versus 62 %). Only Italy stands out with the same level of aspiration to work from home among all employees.
We are certain that if the CSP are less inclined to this practice, it is not because they like the endless metro work sleep. We think they're usually just there not eligible. Their missions cannot fit into a format where they could practice their profession behind a computer screen.
To conclude,
If France lags behind some neighbors in terms of teleworking, it is still a better student than certain Eastern European countries. What contributes to making access to this mode of work restricted is currently the vagueness of the regulation of such a practice. The union is campaigning to clarify the legal framework, but the employers seem to appreciate this smokescreen behind which they hide. However, companies that have moved into the era of work 2.0 only see benefits : better productivity, fulfilled employees…