France: HR managers on the front line amid rising inflation and union demands

Faced with a still dynamic labour market and rising prices, human resources directors are under more pressure than ever on the issue of pay. The issue is causing an increase in quarrels among social partners, as unions demand a second annual increase and companies often opt for bonuses, pointing to the economic uncertainty.

By . Published on 14 October 2022 à 13h45 - Update on 14 October 2022 à 13h45

The strikes at TotalEnergies and Esso refineries and depots, which led to fuel shortages for many French people, are by no means isolated. Clashes between the leadership at companies and trade unions has also led to industrial action in the metal industry as well as at retail and banking firms.

Bonuses or pay rises? As is the case at the start of each year, France’s national association for human resources directors (ANDRH) asked professionals about the situation in their companies and their concerns. “The pressure rose sharply in September,” says the organisation’s vice-president Benoît Serre. Some 18% of the HRDs that responded to the survey said that they had brought forward their mandatory annual negotiations by two months in order to discuss salaries,…

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