Myths about mid-lifers are common and often very damaging. Let’s bust a few myths with some fascinating facts based on robust research and evidence.
Myth: A crisis is more common in midlife
Evidence: There is no evidence that a painful crisis is any more likely during mid-life than at any other time. Jaques’ work was based on clinical patients, mostly on men, and has not been replicated. The impact of life events can be bigger, but this is mostly due to societal and organisational bias and prejudice.
Myth: ‘Older workers’ are more likely to be off sick
Fact: Older workers are half as likely to take a sick day compared to their younger counterparts. Only a quarter of over 50’s took time off in 2014 due to ill-health compared to just under half of those aged 20-30
Myth: Over 40s aren’t up to date with technology
Fact: Cisco research found no great correlation between age and confidence using technology – even less so for technology at work. The type of work people do is a much better predictor than age.
Fact: In the digital sector, 70% of start-ups founded by people over 50 lasted longer than three years, compared to only 28% of those created by younger entrepreneurs
Myth: Older workers cruise along and are not really interested in their career
Fact: 91% of older workers surveyed still wish to progress in their careers
Myth: There is no business benefit in training older workers
Fact: Organisations that provide a higher level of training to older workers retain their staff until a much later age, thereby reducing turnover costs.
Fact: Training spend for over the 50s is 50% less than for younger workers
For more interesting insight visit Mid-life careers – Dancing with fear and confidence (midlifecareers.co.uk)
References
BITC Mythbusting Factsheet (March 2017)
Feldman, D. C. (2007) ‘Career mobility and career stability among older workers’, in Shultz, K.S. & Adams, G.A. (eds.) Aging and work in the 21st century. Mahwar, N.J.: Erlbaum, pp. 179-197.
Gratton, L. and Scott, A. (2016) The 100 Year Life: Living and Working in an Age of Longevity. London: Bloomsbury Business.
Jaques, E. (1965). Death and the mid-life crisis. The International Journal of Psychoanalysis, 46(4), 502-514.Jaques (1965)
McNair, S., et al. (2004) ‘Changing work in later life: a study of job transitions’. Guildford: Centre for Research into the Older Worker.
Newman, B. K. (1995) ‘Career Change for Those Over 40: Critical Issues and Insight’, The Career Development Quarterly, 44(1), pp. 64-66.
Office of National Statistics – Summary of Employment and Labour Market Statistics (January 2019)
Post, C., et al. (2012) ‘Pathways to retirement: A career stage analysis of retirement age expectations’, Human Relations, 66(1), pp. 87-112.
Watts, J., et al. (2015) ‘Mid Life Career Review: Final Report to the Department for Business and Skills’. Leicester: National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (England and Wales).Busting
Fulfilling work 