Future Workforce Study
France | 2016
France findings overview
The majority of French employees think that technology has improved working conditions,
and they have high expectations for the future. The factors they deem important for job
satisfaction are an adequate workspace, good tech perks, and effective collaboration between
different services. Most employees believe that technology can have a tremendous impact on
productivity, so having devices that work correctly is extremely important.
Millennials have higher expectations of workspace technology than those over 35. They
want access to the latest innovations (including artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and
collaborative tools), as they are convinced they will boost effectiveness and productivity. French
employees from small organizations and those working from home are also more open than office
workers to utilizing new technologies and the sharing economy which is growing in importance.
The working world is changing and expectations are not the same as they used to be. Today, the
criteria for choosing a job are numerous, and technology appears to be a decisive factor.
Key Findings
1
38%
In France, workspace
technology lags behind
personal technology
on innovation.
of French employees say the technology
they use at home is more cutting edge
than the technology they use at work.
Apart from Millennials and remote
employees, nearly half of French
employees don’t use their work devices
for personal purposes.
Among the 38% of employees who want
more cutting edge technology, half of them
(50%) work in Large Enterprises. French
workers are more likely to use mobile
technology for personal than work use: 71%
use their laptop in personal life and 45%
at work. Also, 58% use their tablet in
personal life against 26% at work.
However, nearly 1 in 5 employees in
France say that communications technology
plays the biggest role in collaboration.
2
48%
Slow, glitchy or broken
technology kills
workspace efficiency.
of French employees say slow or
glitchy devices (20%), slow or
glitchy software programs (20%) or
fixing broken technology (8%) are
the biggest wastes of time at work.
Fewer than 1 in 5 list technology as
an aspect of their job they’re most
satisfied with.
Similarly, 3 in 4 French employees say
that the technology they use at work makes
their responsibilities easier to perform.
3
38%
French employees want
smarter offices.
French employees are more than
2x as likely to say their office is “not
smart enough” (38%) as they are to
say it’s too “smart” (14%). Even
more (58%) French employees
would rather have high-tech perks
like IoT and AR/VR than low-tech
perks like free food (28%).
.
Males (65%) and Millennials (62%) are
more sensitive towards getting more hightech perks.
Younger employees are more optimistic
about the prospects – 3 in 4 Millennials
say they’re likely to be in a “smart”
workplace within five years.
Above all, workplaces of the future need to
be secure.
4
58%
Most French
Millennials agree face
to face communication
at the workspace is
becoming obsolete.
of French Millennials agree that
remote teams and better
communication technology will make
face to face communication obsolete.
Overall, French employees are split
(49% agree; 45% disagree).
Most French employees communicate
with colleagues face to face.
1 in 4 don’t have a preference between
remote and in-person conversations with
colleagues.
Remote conversations are important too,
though interactions over video, phone and
instant messaging are shorter than face to
face conversations.
5
66%
French employees are
ready to embrace
AR/VR, AI and Internet
of Things.
of French employees would be willing to
use AR/VR products at work. Among them,
remote employees (82%) and Millennials.
78% are most willing to use AR/VR
solutions at work and 69% say AI could
make their jobs easier, including 84% of
remote workers and 77% of Millennials.
Following technology advancements in the
workspace, 48% of French employees
think that AI will generate more productivity
and 43% think the same thing for AR/VR.
Large Enterprises are interested by RV
for solving problems and coming up with
new ideas in 3D visualization. Medium
businesses think that AR/VR could be
relevant for client presentation, using
immersive technology. Small businesses
thinks that AR/VR could help them
to learn new skills in a realistic virtual
environment and collaborating and
communicating with colleagues using
virtual objects or meeting spaces.
6
69%
French employees plan
to participate in the
sharing economy.
of French employees, including 83% of
Millennials, say they plan to participate in the
sharing economy in 2017. 1 in 3 Millennials
say they plan to both consume and sell
shared goods or services this year. The
sharing economy makes goods and services
less expensive, and easier to access.
7
52%
French Millennials are
more likely to combine
work and leisure.
More than half (52%) of Millennials say
work is a key part of their social life
versus the majority (58%) of
Non-Millennials who say their work and
social life are mostly separate. French
Millennials also see lunch breaks
as a social time — not just time
for themselves.
Younger French workers more strongly
associate working remotely with improved
quality of life.
Across age, gender and organization
type, French employees value dedicated
breaks for lunch.
8
86%
When it comes to
acquiring and retaining
talent in France,
technology matters.
of Millennials are also more likely (86%)
to say technology would influence their
decision, over Non-Millennials (74%).
Nearly 8 in 10 say technology influences
their decision to take or decline a new
position. 9 in 10 remote employees say
technology would have an influence on
their career choice — compared to 81%
of office workers.
Nearly 2 in 5 say they are likely to quit a job
if the technology doesn’t meet their
standards: Half of Millennials and remote
employees say they would quit.
Half of French Millennials say that the
technology provided by employers has an
influence on their career choices.
Key Supporting Slides
1
In France, workspace technology lags
personal technology on innovation.
In France, workspace technology lags behind personal
technology on innovation
More cutting edge tech at home:
Small Business – 42%
Medium Business – 31%
Large Enterprise – 50%
In France, workplace technology lags behind personal
technology on innovation
Compared to the workspace, is the technology you use at home...
*7%
38%
21%
38%
More cutting edge
Less cutting edge
On par with technology
I use in the workplace
of Respondents said “Don’t know”
Nearly 1 in 5 employees in France say that communications
technology plays the biggest role in collaboration
Which of the following plays the biggest role in making it easier to collaborate with your colleagues?
*2%
72%
17%
A good working relationship
with my colleagues
Technology to communicate
with my colleagues
of Respondents said “None of the above” or “Don’t know”
Nearly half of French employees don’t use their work
devices for personal purposes
Millennials — followed by remote employees — are most likely to use work devices
for non-work purposes, particularly social media and online shopping
Have you used a work device to do any of the following? Please select all that apply.
47%
32%
24%
12%
Visit social media
sites for personal
purposes
*1%
of Respondents said “Don’t know”
Make online
purchases or bill
payments
Talk about a colleague
or employer behind
their back
9%
Download or stream
videos/music/photographs
for personal purposes
None of the above
Nearly half of French employees don’t use their work
devices for personal purposes
Have you used a work device to do any of the
following? Please select all that apply.
Male
Female
18–34
35+
SB
MB
LE
Office
Remote
Visit social media sites for personal purposes
32
31
43
25
30
33
29
33
40
Make online purchases or bill payments
22
25
31
19
22
25
21
25
32
Talk about a colleague or employer behind their back
12
13
17
10
12
15
7
13
15
Download or stream videos/music/photographs for
personal purposes
10
7
10
8
9
8
11
10
11
None of the above
45
49
32
55
45
44
56
44
35
2
Slow, glitchy or broken technology kills
workspace efficiency.
Vast majority are satisfied with the technology at their work
Similarly, 3 in 4 French employees say that the technology they use at work makes
their responsibilities easier to perform.
How satisfied are you with the technology
in your workspace?
Does the technology you use at work
make your responsibilities...
82%
75%
16%
32%
Very/somewhat satisfied
*Darker
11%
3%
Not too satisfied/
not at all satisfied
30%
Much/somewhat
easier to perform
colors indicate stronger intensity of answer
of Respondents said “Don’t know” when asked about technology in the workspace
***2% of Respondents said “Don’t know” and 12% said it has no effect when asked about technology and responsibilities
**2%
Somewhat/much
harder to perform
Fewer than 1 in 5 list technology as an aspect of their job
they’re most satisfied with
Workspace relationships, work-life balance and subject matter top the list.
Please indicate which two aspects of your job you are most satisfied with.
26%
My relationship
with my
colleagues
26%
My work-life
balance
24%
The subject
matter of
my work
20%
My salary
20%
16%
My level of
The technology
responsibility work provides me
12%
My benefits
package
11%
10%
Flexibility to Opportunities for
choose where
career growth
I work
3
French employees want smarter offices.
French employees are significantly more likely to say their
office is “not smart enough” as they are to say it’s “too smart”
They also overwhelmingly prefer high-tech perks to low-tech perks at the office.
High-tech perks:
Male – 65%
Female – 51%
18–34 – 62%
35+ – 56%
French employees are significantly more likely to say their
office is “not smart enough” as they are to say it’s “too smart”
When thinking about your current
workspace, is it...?
*7%
38%
42%
14%
Not “smart”
enough
As “smart” as
I want it to be
Too “smart”
said "Don't know"
Which of the following would you
rather have in the workspace?
58%
28%
High-tech perks like
Low-tech perks like a
Internet of Things,
ping pong table, free
augmented/virtual reality food or an office dog
or AI-assisted features
14%
Don’t know
Most expect they’ll be working in an IoT-enabled smart
office within five years
Younger employees are more optimistic about the prospects — 3 in 4 Millennials say
they’re likely to be in a smart workspace within five years.
How likely do you think you will be working in a “smart” office
that uses the Internet of Things in the next five years?
57%
33%
Likely to work in “smart”
office in next 5 years:
18–34 – 74%
35+ – 47%
26%
12%
Very/somewhat likely
*Darker
**6%
colors indicate stronger intensity of answer
of Respondents said “Don’t know”
Not too/not at all likely
Workspaces of the future need to be secure above all
Productivity-enhancing technology and design features are also seen as important.
Thinking about your ideal workspace, please rate how important you think it is for it to have...
(Showing % very important)
43%
32%
29%
Advanced security Technology/design Technology/design
protections
that makes the
that makes the
workspace more
workspace more
productive
energy efficient
26%
The ability to
use my own
devices for work
24%
Smart offices
that know your
preferences
24%
Virtual-sharing for
collaborating
remotely
22%
Virtual/augmented
reality equipment
4
Most French Millennials agree face
to face communication at the workspace
is becoming obsolete.
The vast majority recognize the importance of in-person
interactions with their colleagues
Which of the following is closer to your view?
81%
15%
4%
In-person interactions with
colleagues are necessary
to foster a productive
and professional
work environment
In-person interactions
with colleagues at work
are unnecessary
and inefficient
Don’t know
19% of Millennials
say in-person
interactions at
work are inefficient
Most French employees communicate with colleagues
face to face
Remote conversations are important too, though interactions over video, phone and
instant messaging are shorter than face to face conversations.
On an average day at work, approximately how many minutes
of conversation do you exchange with colleagues?
Less than 30 minutes
60–120 minutes
34%
15%
16%
6%
19%
30–60 minutes
90–120 minutes
25%
15%
None
6%
39%
Remotely
Face to Face
120+ minutes
9%
12%
1%
1 in 4 don’t have a preference between remote and
in-person conversations with colleagues
And would you rather exchange conversation with a colleague face to face or remotely?
64%
Prefer face to face:
Non-Millennials – 67%
24%
8%
Face to face
*24%
No preference
of respondents said “No preference”
Remotely via phone
Millennials – 58%
5%
Remotely via video
58% of Millennials say face to face communication is
becoming obsolete
58%
How much do you agree or disagree
with the following statement?
49%
44%
Remote teams and better communication
technology will make face to face communication
obsolete.
16%
All
*Darker
**6%
colors indicate stronger intensity of answer
of Respondents said “Don’t know”
***58%
of Millennials said face to face communication is becoming obsolete
24%
Millennials
11%
35+
5
French employees are ready to
embrace AR/VR, AI and Internet of
Things.
We asked about four innovative trends in
workspace technology
We gave respondents full definitions of each technology along with examples for how
they are used to ensure each respondent was able to answer thoughtfully.
Augmented/
Virtual Reality
Artificial
Intelligence
Internet
of Things
Sharing
Economy
2/3 of French employees — especially Millennials and remote
employees — are willing to include AR/VR in their work
40% of Millennials vs. only
24% of Non-Millennials are
very willing to use AR/VR
products at work
Most willing to use AR/VR:
Remote Employees – 82%
Millennials (18–34) – 78%
2/3 of French employees — especially Millennials and remote
employees — are willing to include AR/VR in their work
66%
How willing would you be to use
augmented/virtual reality products in
your professional life?
26%
30%
9%
Very/
somewhat willing
*Darker
**8%
colors indicate stronger intensity of answer
of Respondents said “Don’t know”
Somewhat/
not at all willing
Most agree that AI could make their jobs easier
Thinking about your own job, do you agree or disagree that it could
be made easier with the assistance of artificial intelligence?
69%
Agree most on potential
use of AI:
22%
Remote Workers – 84%
Millennials (18–34) – 77%
24%
12%
Strongly/
somewhat agree
*Darker
**9%
Strongly/
somewhat disagree
colors indicate stronger intensity of answer
of Respondents said “Don’t know”
And would lead to more productivity
For each of the following technology advancements in the
workspace, please say whether it would primarily lead to more...
48%
43%
28%
24%
14%
Artificial intelligence
More Productivity
More Procrastination
No Impact
15%
Virtual/augmented reality
Training and client presentations are the most exciting
opportunities with AR/VR
What aspects of your work would you be most excited to use
augmented/virtual reality for?
23%
21%
19% 21%
13%
17%
12% 13%
13%
15%
19%
21%
8%
Training on new skills
in realistic virtual
environments
Presenting to clients using
immersive technologies
Collaborating and
communicating with
colleagues using virtual
objects or meeting spaces
Small Business
Medium Business
Large Enterprise
*11%
of Respondents and “None of the above”; 8% said “Don’t know”
Solving problems or
coming up with new ideas
through 3D visualization
10%
13%
Non-work socializing
with colleagues
The prospect of a digital helper most excited French
employees about AI
When thinking about the future implications of artificial intelligence,
what excites you the most?
30%
22%
20%
15%
A digital helper that learns
and repeats complex
repetitive tasks
*12%
of Respondents said “Don’t know”
Automating simple tasks
like booking a meeting
A proactive agent that
knows my priorities and
helps with work productivity
An advisor who can make
recommendations to help
with decision making
The prospect of a digital helper most excited French
employees about AI
When thinking about the future implications of
artificial intelligence, what excites you the most?
Male
Female
18–34
35+
SB
MB
LE
Office
Remote
A digital helper that learns and repeats complex
repetitive tasks
29
32
32
30
30
32
28
31
30
Automating simple tasks like booking a meeting
21
24
19
24
24
21
23
23
26
A proactive agent that knows my priorities and helps
with work productivity
22
17
24
18
20
19
22
20
22
An advisor with access to all of the latest information
who can make recommendations to help with
decision making
19
11
18
13
14
17
12
16
17
IoT offers an opportunity to bring new technology into the
workspace and improve communications
What excites you about using the Internet of Things in the
workspace? Please select all that apply.
41%
39%
30%
25%
The opportunity to
incorporate innovative
technology into the
workspace
*9%
Making it easier to
wirelessly connect devices
to share and communicate
Making workspaces more
energy efficient
of Respondents are not excited about the IoT, and 5% said “Don’t know”
Tailoring workspaces to
reflect personal preferences
(e.g., temperature, foods,
desk layout, etc.)
21%
Designing workspaces
so every room and
feature is used and no
space is wasted
1 in 3 are concerned that robots will take their jobs
The threat is felt most acutely by employees at smaller businesses.
A robot will take my job:
Small Business – 39%
Medium Business – 34%
Large Enterprise – 24%
1 in 3 are concerned that robots will take their jobs
When thinking about the future implications of artificial intelligence,
what worries you the most?
34%
20%
18%
10%
1%
*17%
of Respondents said “Don’t know”
A robot will take my job
I won’t be able to get through a day without relying on robots
Robots will play a bigger role in the military
My friends will date robots
Other
6
French employees plan to participate
in the sharing economy.
69% of French employees plan to participate in the
sharing economy in 2017
1 in 3 Millennials say they plan to both consume and sell shared goods or services
this year.
How, if at all, do you plan on participating in the sharing economy in 2017?
*16%
28%
By consuming goods or services
15%
By selling goods or services
of Respondents said “Don’t know”
26%
Both by consuming and selling goods or services
15%
I won’t participate in the sharing economy
69% of French employees plan to participate in the
sharing economy in 2017
How, if at all, do you plan on participating in the
sharing economy in 2017?
Male
Female
18–34
35+
SB
MB
LE
Office
Remote
By consuming goods or services
30
25
29
27
28
28
28
28
31
Both by consuming and selling goods or services
27
25
32
23
25
28
22
28
28
By selling goods or services
15
15
22
12
17
17
10
15
22
I won’t participate in the sharing economy
15
16
9
19
9
16
21
14
11
The sharing economy makes goods and services less
expensive, and easier to access
In your opinion, what are the two primary benefits of the sharing economy?
31%
23%
22%
22%
22%
15%
6%
It makes
goods and
services cheaper
*3%
It allows for
greater flexibility
It allows me to
borrow instead
of own goods
and services
It encourages
entrepreneurship
and small
businesses
It gives me more
choices
of Respondents said there are no benefits of the sharing economy, and 10% said “Don’t know”
It is easier to
assess quality
and value of what
I am paying for
It is more likely to
be cutting edge
and innovative
The sharing economy makes goods and services less
expensive, and easier to access
In your opinion, what are the two primary benefits of
the sharing economy?
Male
Female
18–34
35+
SB
MB
LE
Office
Remote
It makes goods and services cheaper
29
32
24
35
26
31
37
31
24
It allows for greater flexibility
24
22
26
21
30
21
20
24
27
It allows me to borrow instead of own goods
and services
19
24
20
23
18
24
20
23
19
It encourages entrepreneurship and small businesses
24
19
25
19
23
19
26
22
27
It gives me more choices
25
19
24
21
19
25
20
22
23
It is easier to assess quality and value of what I am
paying for
15
15
20
12
16
16
11
16
18
It is more likely to be cutting edge and innovative
9
4
7
6
4
10
1
7
9
7
French Millennials are likely to
combine work and leisure.
French Millennials are more likely to combine
work and leisure
Which of the following is closer to your view?
58%
52%
48%
42%
Work is a key part of my social life
Millennials
Non-Millennials
My work and my social life are mostly separate
Younger French workers more strongly associate
working remotely with improved quality of life
In your opinion, what are the two primary benefits of being able to choose
whether you work in an office or elsewhere?
+6
41% 42%
+6
38%
32%
22%
It allows me to
concentrate better
It allows me to
achieve a healthier
work-life balance
Millennials
Non-Millennials
16%
It feels less dull
than working only
in an office
20% 20%
It allows me to feel like
my life isn’t completely
dominated by work
20%
16%
It allows me to get
more work don’t
have to commute
16% 12%
It allows me to
take care of
my dependents
Lunch breaks are very important to French employees
Across age, gender and organization type, French employees value dedicated breaks
for lunch.
How important is it to take a dedicated break for lunch each workday?
(Showing % very important)
66%
FR Employees
64%
Men
69%
Women
69%
Millennials
64%
Non-Millennials
66%
Private
66%
Public
Lunch breaks offer an opportunity to take personal time
away from work
French Millennials also see lunch breaks as a social time — not just time for themselves.
Which of the following is the most appealing part of taking a break for lunch?
36%
28%
27%
6%
*2%
The opportunity to take time for myself
Socializing:
The opportunity to put my work down for a period of time
The opportunity to socialize with colleagues or friends
The opportunity to run errands
of Respondents said “Other”
Millennials – 34%
Non-Millennials – 23%
8
When it comes to acquiring and retaining
talent in France, technology matters.
Nearly 8 in 10 say technology influences their decision to
take or decline a new position
9 in 10 remote employees
say technology would have
an influence on their career
choice — compared to 81%
of office workers
Millennials also are more likely
(86%) to say technology would
influence their decision, over
Non-Millennials (74%)
Nearly 8 in 10 say technology influences their decision to
take or decline a new position
How much would the technology available to staff influence your decision to take a new position?
*7%
41%
37%
15%
A lot of influence
A little influence
No influence at all
of Respondents said “Don’t know”
Nearly 2 in 5 say they are likely to quit a job if the
technology doesn’t meet their standards
Half of Millennials and remote employees say they’d quit.
Millennials (50%) and
Remote employees (52%)
are most likely to say
they’d quit a job with
inadequate technology
Nearly 2 in 5 say they are likely to quit a job if the
technology doesn’t meet their standards
How likely would you be to quit a job
if the technology you were provided
with didn’t meet your standards?
*Darker
**3%
colors indicate stronger intensity of answer
of Respondents said “Don’t know”
38%
34%
24%
14%
14%
Very/somewhat likely
Not too likely/
not at all likely
Neither likely
or unlikely
French employees are now more receptive to quitting a
job if workplace technology is not up to par than 2014
How likely would you be to quit a job if the technology you were provided with didn't meet your standards?
49%
38%
34%
33%
24%
18%
2016
2014
Likely
Neither
Not Likely
*3% of respondents in 2016 said “Don’t know”
Half of French Millennials say that the technology provided
by employers has an influence on their career choices
Likely to quit a job with
substandard tech
Workspace tech would have a lot of influence
when deciding to take a new job
Ages 18–34
Ages 35+
Ages 18–34
Ages 35+
50%
32%
52%
35%
Methodology
Methodology
Penn Schoen Berland (PSB) conducted 400 online interviews in the United Kingdom
between April 27–May 7, 2016 among United Kingdom Employees. The report primarily
analyzes the following groups:
Definition
Audience
N Size
MoE (%)
UK Employees
UK adults who work more than 35 hours a week and work in one of seven target industries: Education,
Government, Financial Services, Healthcare, Manufacturing, Media & Entertainment, and Retail
400
±4.90
Men
Male UK Employees
229
±6.48
Women
Female UK Employees
171
±7.49
Millennials (18–34)
UK Employees Age 18–34
85
±10.63
Non-Millennials
(35+)
UK Employees Age 35+
315
±5.52
Small Business
UK Employees who work for a company or organization with less than 100 people
91
±10.27
Medium Business
UK Employees who work for a company or organization with between 100 and 5,000 people
184
±7.22
Large Enterprise
UK Employees who work for a company or organization with more than 5,000 people
125
±8.77
Office Employee
UK Employees who work in an office at least a few times a week
322
±5.46
Remote Working
Employee
UK Employees who work either at home or in a public place at least a few times a week
128
±8.66
Audience Summary: Gender Differences
Key Difference
Data
Salary satisfaction
French men are significantly more likely than French women to say their salary is a point of satisfaction at
work (26% vs. 14%); and French women are significantly more likely than French men to say salary is a point
of dissatisfaction at work (43% vs. 33%)
Satisfaction with subject
matter at work
French women are significantly more likely than French men to say the subject matter of their work is a
key point of satisfaction (30% vs. 20%)
Impact of technology on
job choice
French men are significantly more likely to agree than French women that their employer will help them resolve
any technology need they have in order to do their job while travelling or working remotely (66% vs. 56%)
Importance of workspace
technology
42% of French men say they are likely to quit a job if the technology they were provided with didn’t meet
there standards compared to 34% of French women who say the same
Collaboration in the workspace
81% of French men say the workspace is more collaborative than it used to be compared to 67% of French women
Face to face conversations
68% of French women say they would rather exchange conversation with a colleague face to face than
remotely compared to 60% of French men
Smart offices
47% of French men say their current workspace is as smart as I want it to be
compared to just 35% of women who say the same
Audience Summary: Millennials (18–34) vs. 35+
Key Difference
Data
Work-life balance
French Employees 35+ are significantly more likely to say work-life balance is a top point of satisfaction with
their job compared to French Millennials (29% vs. 20%)
Work and leisure
52% of French Millennials consider work to be a key part of their social life compared to 42% of Employees 35+
Technology at work
82% of French Millennials say technology at work makes their responsibility easier to perform compared to 72%
of Employees 35+
Importance of workplace
technology
50% of French Millennials say they are likely to quit a job if the technology they were provided didn’t
meet there standards compared to 32% of Employees 35+ who say the same.
Collaboration in the workplace
83% of French Millennials say the workspace is more collaborative than it used to be compared to 69% of French
Employees 35+
Likelihood of a “smart” office
that uses IoT
74% of French Millennials say it’s likely they will be working in a smart office that uses IoT in the next five
years compared to 47% of French Employees 35+
Face to face conversations
67% of French Employees 35+ say they would rather exchange conversation with a colleague face to face
than remotely compared to 58% of Millennials
Technology and
interpersonal communication
58% of French Millennials agree that remote teams and better communication technology will make face to
face communication obsolete compared to 44% of Employees 35+ who say the same