Written by: Gary Cowell

Fear of failure stops a quarter of full-time UK workers pursuing the ethical career they really want.

That was one of the findings from a recent careers study published by insurance providers Norwich Union. It found that half of those questioned are planning to switch to a second more ethical career when they are 45.

“Almost all of the people who use our careers services wish they'd followed a more fulfilling career when they were younger,” says Alan Porter, from the Career Change Centre which helps over 50s careerchangers.

“The most common reason why many older people haven't changed careers earlier is because they lacked the confidence to do it.”

Encouragingly, the research showed that one in four full-time workers are calling on their current employers to provide them with the opportunity to do charity work in their field.

William Nelson, of trend analysts the Future Foundation, said the research suggested that we're entering “a new era” in which society is less selfish and more focused on personal fulfillment.

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

The research revealed that most people begin to plan their ethical career at 36. They're interested in becoming local political or community representatives, climate change campaigners and charity workers.

Almost half of Londoners said they would be prepared to earn less money in exchange for a fulfilling career compared to a national average of just over a third.

Norwich Union

www.norwichunion.com

The Career Change Centre

www.careerchangecentre.org.uk

Print