A growing number of employees are facing work conditions that many find unsustainable, with mental health concerns remaining at a troubling level. Factors such as isolation, loss of meaning in work, and accumulated fatigue are contributing to this crisis. Some professionals are now calling for a shift in workplace practices that puts humans at the center, emphasizing kindness and empathy in the workplace. According to a survey conducted by the firm Empreinte Humaine in collaboration with the polling institute Ipsos BVA, half of the employees show signs of psychological distress. Young people under 30, women, and employees in general are the most at risk of burnout. The reasons cited include a growing sense of isolation and a lack of fulfillment in their work. Many organizations are ignoring these issues, a phenomenon described by Hélène Schetting, an expert in management and author of the book Putain de facteur humain, as collective denial. This tendency to believe everything is fine in order to avoid confronting reality is seen as a major obstacle to meaningful change. Schetting argues that simply expressing good intentions is no longer enough if the way work is organized doesn’t change. She suggests that the solution lies in making a courageous decision: placing humans at the forefront of workplace priorities, without compromising on results. Kindness at work is being highlighted as a strategy that requires courage, as it involves facing real problems rather than avoiding them. This means openly discussing mental load, workplace tensions, and mistakes instead of sweeping them under the rug. Schetting emphasizes that inspiring trust and commitment through a sincere and kind approach is a powerful way to create a better working environment. She argues that this kind of leadership can lead to more engaged and motivated employees. The call for change is growing louder as more people recognize the need for a shift in how work is approached. Organizations are being urged to move away from a purely performance-driven culture and instead focus on creating a supportive and humane workplace. This requires a willingness to address uncomfortable truths and implement real changes that prioritize the well-being of employees. As Schetting points out, the future of work may depend on the courage to embrace kindness and human-centered practices.