Successful professional women in midlife: How organizations can more effectively understand and respond to the challenges

Abstract

Executive Overview Women have entered the work force in increasing numbers since the mid-1970s. Now, for the first time, organizations employ a significant number of women who have reached midlife and midcareer. These women provide a model of high-level performance that can offer lessons for the wider population facing midlife issues. Although many organizations have attempted to respond to the needs of working women, the most common programs likely are inadequate for these midlife women. These women bring to organizations personal maturity, significant professional experience, and a desire for new challenges. They have significantly different needs from their younger female counterparts and their male midlife contemporaries. They have coped with the challenges of midlife in ways that have changed their perspective, altered their role definition and performance, and modified their job or work environment. Organizations that wish to retain these women and actively address midlife issues for the aging workforce should focus on changing human resource policies and practices and creating a culture to support and effectively use their talents and motivate their continued achievement.