Older workers are ‘more fulfilled’ finds report

But ‘Generation Y’ employees – those born after 1980 – are more ambitious, putting themselves at a greater risk of ‘career disillusionment’ than ever before.

Almost 60% of those in the 31-35 year old age bracket reported feeling undervalued at work and just half of 25-31 year olds feel unfulfilled, while seven out of ten workers of 50 and over said they felt fulfilled at work, the Vodafone UK Working Nation report found.

In fact, it seems the older the worker, the more they enjoy their career, said the survey. More than 90% of those over 65 said they are ‘satisfied’ at work, while 97% said they feel ‘enabled’ in their work, compared to just six in 10 31-35 year olds.

The report’s authors also issued a ‘stark’ warning to members of the ‘characteristically optimistic’ Generation Y. They suggested that one of the biggest issues facing UK businesses over the next 10 years ‘could be the inevitable disillusionment that will hit these youngest members of the workforce as they start to reach their thirties’.

Nick Rand, association director of Opinion Leader, who carried out the research, said: “The common prediction associated with Generation Y is that it is using developments in new technology and new forms of communication to change working cultures.

“This means we will see new kinds of companies as well as new kinds of employees who believe it is their right to design their working day to meet their own bespoke requirements.

“This young cohort is indeed highly ambitious and wants to succeed in a shorter time span than ever. But with these new, higher expectations comes the risk of greater disappointment,” he warned.

© Crimson Business Ltd. 2008