Middle and Late Career Problems: Causes, Consequences, and Research Needs

Abstract

This study examined the causes and consequences of career problems associated with the aging of the workforce. Survey findings based on the responses of 600 human resources managers indicated that career plateaus and skills obsolescence problems are attributed to a loss of motivation on the part of mid-career and older workers, to the absence of organizational career management systems, and to rapid changes in job duties. Human resource managers perceived a large gap between existing policies to overcome career problems and needed policies. The implications of these findings are considered for theory deveIopment, future research and human resource management policy making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]