The DARES survey "Working Conditions and Psychosocial Risks 2024-2025" highlights a notable evolution in working conditions. Between 2016 and 2024, work intensity decreased for the first time, from 43% to 38% for employees exposed to at least three rhythm constraints. Working relations also improved, and lack of autonomy declined by 3 points.
However, these developments are mixed. Low-skilled employees face increased work intensity and a rise in hostile behaviors. Furthermore, the decrease in time pressure observed globally is mainly driven by the private sector. The proportion of employees who have to rush decreased by 7 points in the private sector, but increased by 3 points in the public sector.
Public sector employees are also more exposed to emotional demands related to contact with people in distress. Two out of three public employees are concerned, compared to about one in three employees in the private sector. These findings echo the many roles in territorial public service that involve contact with the public, users, or vulnerable individuals.
These observations underscore the importance of continuing to identify psychosocial risk (PSR) factors as close as possible to work situations. Additional data, particularly to deepen the results for the public sector, will be published in the "Rapport annuel sur l’état de la fonction publique 2026" (Annual Report on the State of Public Service 2026), expected in October.
