DAILY TELEGRAPH

Millions want to quit the rat race

Friday 11 May 2007

Millions of workers want to quit the rat race for a job in the slow lane by the age of 45, research revealed yesterday.

On the day that Tony Blair announced his resignation at the age of 54, a study found that more that than one in two Britons wanted a second, more compassionate career for the last two decades of their working life.

The country's bosses could be facing a rash of resignations from fortysomething employees who aim to put satisfaction before success.

Two in three people said they were "unfulfilled", "miserable" or "drifting" in their jobs and more than half claimed they would happily earn less money in a role that made them feel better about themselves.

Now, in a new UK career trend being labelled "Zenployment", almost half say they aim to be in a second career that offers fulfilment and the chance to make a difference by the age of 45. Animal welfare worker, counsellor and yoga teacher feature on the list of compassionate careers being planned.

But one in four are calling on their current employers to give them the chance to do charity work or voluntary unpaid work in their field.

William Nelson, of the trend analysts the Future Foundation, said: "This research is further evidence that we're entering a new era, with a society that is less selfish and increasingly focused on personal fulfilment.

"In fact, rising affluence and high employment levels mean most of us now feel pretty secure in providing for our basic needs, especially once we are established in careers and the housing market.

"The ethical and spiritual dimensions of work therefore are more of a priority, and people want to believe their careers contribute towards a better future - not just for themselves but for society."

The poll of 1,200 people for Norwich Union Life also found people aiming to quit the rat race had on average a nine-year plan, with people planning their second careers from as early an age as 36. However, complete withdrawal from work was being rejected in favour of "Zenployment", with half saying they would not follow the traditional retirement path.

Two thirds of those aged 45 to 54, and seven in 10 of the over-55s said an increasing number of their friends had moved into second careers

Financial commitments, lack of training and a fear of failure were the main restrictions on workers moving into compassionate careers.

Simon Quick, the report's author, said: "Once we dreamed of retirement to a country cottage but this research reveals British workers now aim to do something that offers them fulfilment in the second stage of their lives.

"That clearly has a major impact on our financial planning, and those hoping to downsize to more compassionate careers need to consider now how they can finance that life change."

The study reveals that people in the North East, North West and Scotland were the most dissatisfied with their current careers. But people in London would be most prepared to earn less money in exchange for fulfilment.

The top 10 second careers were: animal welfare officer, counsellor, charity worker/volunteer, gardener, alternative therapist, artist, teacher, local political or community representative, climate campaigner and sports instructor.

Link to article and comments at the Daily Telegraph: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/05/11/nratrace11.xml