Working It cover image

Working It

How can middle-aged women get the most out of work?

Dec 3, 2024
Lucy Standing, founder of the nonprofit Brave Starts, and comedian Viv Groskop share vital insights on empowering middle-aged women in the workforce. They discuss the importance of company culture and the need for supportive environments to nurture career exploration. Lucy emphasizes older workers' resilience and unique value, while Viv highlights how women can ask critical questions about their workplace dynamics. Together, they challenge misconceptions surrounding older employees and advocate for a culture that both values and supports their growth.
19:42

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Middle-aged women often leave the workforce due to workplace culture that lacks flexibility and genuine concern for employee well-being.
  • Managers can enhance retention by offering time for career exploration and fostering a supportive environment for mid-life employees to develop.

Deep dives

Challenges Faced by Older Women in the Workforce

Many older workers, particularly women, face significant challenges in their careers, often being unable to attain the senior roles they anticipated. Factors such as caregiving responsibilities, financial pressures, and workplace culture contribute to their decisions to leave the workforce. The concept of the 'sandwich generation' highlights how these individuals juggle obligations to both their children and aging parents, leading to a sense of stagnation in their careers. Ultimately, many express feelings of boredom and a longing for greater purpose and flexibility in their work life as they reach midlife.

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