Transcripts

"Commentary"-The Neglected Middle Class & Middle Aged

SUSIE GHARIB: Tonight's commentator says employers need to wake up to the needs of their 30 and 40-something employees. He's Bob Morison, director of research at the BSG Alliance and co-author of "Workforce Crisis."

ROBERT MORISON, DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH, BSG ALLIANCE: Let's talk about the neglected middle class -- not the middle-income Americans that the politicians are trying so hard to appeal to in an election year, but employees in mid- career, their late 30s through 40s, often with significant tenure. They're a large segment of the workforce, and they're largely neglected as employers concentrate on recruiting young workers and retaining older ones with hard-to-replace experience.

It's a mistake to assume that long-term, uncomplaining, mid-career employees are doing just fine. Our research shows that, compared to younger and older cohorts, mid-careers put in more hours and have too much on their plates. They are less likely to find the workplace enjoyable, to have the opportunity to try new things or to be satisfied with their managers. Over one third feel dead-ended and over 40 percent report burnout. Many find responsibilities on the home and work fronts to be peaking simultaneously. Others are, upon mid-life reflection, frustrated with how their careers have turned out.

The more self-reliant may unexpectedly jump ship, but most remain frustrated in place. Few are immune from the mid-career blues, including managers and top performers. Most older employees report at least one period of mid-career crisis. There may be no prevention of these mid- career blues, but there are cures, usually in the combination of a fresh and energizing assignment and more flexible work arrangements. So pay attention to the middle class and show them some love, because curing the blues of employees is good for productivity today and retention tomorrow. I'm Robert Morison.