Employees are losing their passion for work in their 40s

Brits are losing their passion for their job at an average age of 42, with 76 per cent revealing that they go to work to be able to afford to live.

The survey of 2,000 British workers by Paymentsense found that of those in their 40s, around half revealed that they needed to work just to pay the mortgage, while 57 per cent cited responsibilities to support their family.

Data found that 11 per cent said they were passionate about their job and 14 per cent wanted to build their career.

“Although money is the biggest motivator, it is shocking to see how many Brits choose money over passion when it comes to working,” said Guy Moreve, head of marketing at Paymentsense.

“Employers have a certain amount of responsibility for the motivation and wellbeing of the workforce and for a team to function to their best of its ability, all members must be fully engaged and committed.”

When it came to employees of all ages, the study found that 72 per cent only go to work to pay the bills. In contrast, 21 per cent said they are driven by their career and live to work, plus the majority of respondents believe that money is the most important factor when it comes to their job.

Meanwhile, 72 per cent stated that it is also important to have a good pension scheme and 20 or more holiday days too (79 per cent).

“Employees losing their motivation or passion for their role can be detrimental to business, therefore employers are advised to really listen and respond to [their] employees’ needs to ensure high levels of engagement throughout [the] company,” Moreve added.

“Spotting the warning signs of a disengaged employee early and addressing them quickly can help encourage retention.”