For the first time in a decade, salary has become the top concern for managers in France, according to a recent survey conducted by ViaVoice and Secafi in May. The issue has risen by 5 points compared to last year and more than 18 points compared to 2016. This shift highlights growing concerns about compensation, particularly among men, younger workers, and those in the construction, industry, and public administration sectors. The survey included 1,000 participants, with 70% identifying salary as a top priority. Agathe Le Berder, deputy secretary general of the Union générale des ingénieurs, cadres et techniciens (Ugict) of the CGT, noted that salary has become one of the main priorities for managers, a change from previous years when work-life balance was typically the focus. Le Berder criticized the current situation, stating that "qualifications no longer pay in this country and being a manager is not recognized at its true value by salary." Unions are planning a mobilization on September 29 to advocate for better pay in public service and across sectors. Data from Insee, France’s national statistics institute, shows that the average net salary of managers in the private sector has increased by only 0.5% over nearly 30 years, from 1996 to 2024, compared to a 13.9% increase for all socioeconomic categories. This disparity has led to concerns among managers, with half of them believing their pay does not reflect their work commitment. Additionally, 27% of managers work more than 45 hours per week, and 59% report an increase in their workload compared to 2025, with notable rises in the commerce and hospital public administration sectors. Despite the government’s recent proposal to address pay disparities between men and women, which is expected to reach Parliament by the end of the year, 53% of surveyed managers feel that pay criteria are not transparent. This highlights ongoing frustrations with how salaries are determined and the perception that compensation is not fairly aligned with performance or effort.