Whether it’s a longing for something new, major demotivation, or a profound loss of meaning, the mid-career crisis often strikes between the ages of 45 and 55, when the frenetic pace of daily life slows down.
This calmer time often invites introspection, and people might question their choices. But is this an inevitable stage of professional life? Not necessarily, according to a UK study published in the journal Socio-Economic Review.
Researchers at the University of Surrey studied the evolution of job satisfaction as a function of age by analysing four vast British national databases, covering more than 100,000 workers in various sectors. Their study reveals that job satisfaction follows a U-shaped trajectory only among more highly qualified employees, such as managerial and professional workers.
“Our findings indicate that for managers and professionals, job satisfaction typically hits its lowest point during their 40s but often rebounds later in life. In contrast, workers in intermediate and lower occupational classes do not display the same U-shaped trajectory.
“This challenges the widespread belief that a mid-career crisis is a universal phenomenon,” lead author Ying Zhou from the University of Surrey explained.
In other words, the mid-career crisis is not inevitable – an observation that has far-reaching consequences for understanding the challenges of wellbeing at work.
Recognising that this phase of dissatisfaction can be temporary, and that it is often accompanied by a resurgence of fulfilment, can bring a form of comfort to the workers concerned. It also invites employers to rethink their support for employees aged between 40 and 50, so that they can continue to develop professionally.
These pivotal decades are indeed a time of upheaval, whether in terms of physical health, changing family dynamics, or professional challenges. After decades spent building a career, developing skills and consolidating expertise, prospects for advancement become scarcer. Doubts creep in, and the desire for change becomes more pressing.
Fortunately, this crisis can prove salutary for many working people, enabling them to enter the second half of their careers energised and regenerated. Some return to education to upgrade their skills, while others take a sabbatical, change jobs or set up their own businesses.
Faced with an ageing workforce, this study highlights the urgent need to rethink HR policies to foster professional fulfilment at every stage of life. Whether through skills assessments, coaching, or geographical mobility, there are various ways in which businesses can support workers in this stage of life.
So, rather than seeing midlife as a lull between the impetus of youth and the challenges of old age, it could instead be reframed as a transitional phase – admittedly complex, but rich in potential. As such, it’s an ideal opportunity to redefine career paths and create new dynamics, for the benefit of all.