When it comes to workplace issues I have rarely seen anything quite so depressing as the following headline: “They’re young professional and tired by 35”.

The London Evening Standard carried a report outlining the results of a survey amongst 1000 professional 30 - 35 year olds. It was a sad read showing that 83% of this age group are unhappy at work.

One of its most remarkable findings was the number of young professionals dropping out of the work force at this early age – often with a positive, self improving aim. The report dubbed these ‘protires’ as TIRED – “Thirtysomething Independent Radical Educated Drop-outs”. It appears that this generation who came hungry into the workplace with more opportunity than any previous generation feel short-changed by their overly gruelling and, at times, dehumanising work. The figures showed that one in 15 of under 35s had already protired and 45% were thinking of changing career to something less demanding and more fulfilling before they were 30.

What is so depressing about this report is not the fact that people feel they want more from life than just fiscal reward - that surely is a positive thing. No, the tragedy, and the thing that should be keeping senior leaders in the professional services, investment banking and finance industries awake at night is that it seems there is no possibility of these people linking their aspiration for greater purpose and meaning within their workplace.

This is a critical issue. Many organisations would have invested thousands of pounds in the development of these individuals. They carry a great deal of intellectual capital which at this stage of their careers should be creating significant value for their organisations and providing ample return on their investment. It appears that for an increasing number it is at this very point that they are jumping ship.

Some may be tempted to dismiss this as the childish antics of the immature or just sad wasters who are of no real value to the business. If tempted to do so, may we suggest the following - WAKE UP STUPID! This aspiration deficit in the workplace could prove very costly indeed. It was Marx who highlighted the dangers of the industrial revolution in creating a state of ‘alienation’ of workers from their product. The consequences of this were significant indeed. It would appear that this current day manifestation has for many, created alienation from a sense of ‘purpose’ within the working context.

This is a leadership issue. These people need ‘re-recruiting’ every day. Leaders need to provide the inspiration, relational bonding and motivation to ‘glue in talent’ for the long-haul. Yet it will take more than charisma and a cappuccino to address this trend. Companies need to recognise that they have got to work harder at helping these talented people to connect with a sense of purpose within the workplace. It was Friedrich Nietzsche who stated that “A man who has a ‘why’ can put up with any form of ‘how’”. This dearth of purpose is a deep need at the very heart of our human condition.

There are no easy answers but some things can be done.

• encouraging involvement in philanthropy
• providing short term placements within
• charitable organisations providing opportunity for cross cultural work placements
• providing flexi-time opportunity for people other than just working mums
• etc etc…

Probably the best thing would be to ask this target group anonymously if they had ever considered such a move and if so what would encourage them to stay?

This quiet revolution is in danger of denying businesses some of their brightest and best. Ignore it at your peril - the Marxists weren’t kidding.

Phil Wall
CEO