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March 31, 2006
Learn about this trend: “Middlescence”
The more we know about our employees, the more effectively we can communicate with them. That means doing research within your own organization, of course, but it also means being informed about important workforce trends.
Like this one: “Middlescence.” It’s a term coined by Robert Morison, Tamara Erickson and Ken Dychtwald, authors of a new book (Workforce Crisis), and an article in the Harvard Business Review that you should definitely read. (You can subscribe to the publication or purchase a reprint of the article for $6. Click on this link for an abstract and to order.)
“Middlescence” is a term the authors use to define a pervasive restlessness that’s now occurring in managers at midcareer. Here’s the problem:
- Midcareer employees—those between 35 and 54—make up more than half the workforce.
- People at this stage in their career work longer hours—30% more than 50 hours a week—than older or younger workers.
- Yet only 43% are passionate about their jobs. Just 33% feel energized by their work. 36% say they feel they are in dead-end jobs. And more than 40% report feelings of burnout.
- The bad news continues: According to the authors’ research, midcareer employees have the lowest satisfaction rates with their immediate manager and the least confidence in top executives. A fifth are seeking opportunities in other organizations, and a similar number are looking for a major career change.
This all matters because “middlescence” affects morale, which affects productivity. And very soon, unless companies address the malaise affecting their midcareer workers, those companies will face an exodus of skilled workers—and difficulty recruiting new hires to fill those roles.
Read the article. Find out more.
Posted by Alison Davis at March 31, 2006 02:02 PM