While one in two HR managers say they have taken steps to reduce or postpone wage increases, according to a study by Willis Towers Watson published on May 25, the Minister of Action and Public Accounts, Gérald Darmanin, proposed , on May 24 in an interview with the Journal du dimanche , to “generalize” the employee savings plans: employee profit-sharing and employee shareholding. Or how to give purchasing power to employees, who are likely to have to tighten their belts in terms of increases. “A third of companies have already frozen wages and 16% are considering it,  ” said the study by the consulting firm.

For Xavier Hollandts, professor at Kedge Business School, the minister’s declarations are ”  unexpected and irrelevant, at a time when the priority of companies is their survival and job retention. There is a timing error! In addition, it is a false good idea, because, as its name suggests, it is a savings tool that is not intended to increase purchasing power immediately. It constitutes deferred compensation. “

Inès Minin, national secretary of the CFDT, sees it, too, a risk of misuse of the tool supposed to finance projects in the medium and long term. “  We are in favor of employee savings, but the real subject currently is that of the valuation of low wages, especially those of employees on the front line during the health crisis .  “

“Towards a more redistributive capitalism”

”  Gérald Darmanin raised a real subject ,” said Benoît Serre, associate vice-president of the National Association of HRDs (ANDRH). To get out of the crisis, it is essential to associate all employees with the company’s objective and to find new levers of recognition and fairness. One of the ways would be to combine collective performance agreements [these agreements are aimed at preserving employment by playing on working time, remuneration or mobility] and wage savings schemes, in order to provide for the distribution of the value created. Businesses and social partners could be innovative in negotiating such agreements. “

The business leaders of the CroissancePlus network applaud with both hands the idea of ​​a generalization of employee share ownership, except “if it were to be accompanied by overly restrictive measures , would like to specify Thibaut Bechetoille, president of the association . Sharing the fruits of growth is an emergency. Faced with the resurgence of a threatening social context, it is very important to associate employees with the capital of their company. We must move towards a more redistributive capitalism and , in this very particular period that we are living, the development of employee share ownership would send a strong and very positive signal ”.