GONE are the days when children want to follow in mum and dad’s professional footsteps as a teacher or a plumber – and it seems parents are actively trying to discourage their offspring from doing just that.

More than a quarter of professionals in the UK have revealed they are so unhappy with their jobs they would not want their children to do them, according to a survey.

A third of the 1,000 workers quizzed by recruitment consultancy Hudson said the reason they would not recommend their career to their children was because of better opportunities in other professions.

While more than one in four believed their children could earn more money (27 per cent) or enjoy a better work/life balance elsewhere (25 per cent).

Chief executive of Hudson UK, Andy Rogerson, said: “These findings are very disturbing, especially with the current economic conditions.

“That so many UK professionals would not want to see their children follow in their footsteps points to a workforce that is both unhappy and lacking confidence.

“Employers should take note of these findings and seek to tackle the sources of such gloom.”

Male lawyers seemed to be the least content with their current jobs, with almost a third (32.3 per cent) saying they would not want their children to tread the same path.

Female IT consultants were most keen to see their children emulate their career, with just one in five (20.2 per cent) saying they would not want to see their children in their job.

The worrying trend extends beyond the normal professions into the more glamorous-sounding careers, including acting.

Recently, New Tricks star Amanda Redman revealed she doesn’t know how to advise her wannabe actress daughter Emily Glenister, just 21.

“I haven’t got a lot of advice for young actors. There’s no such thing as Rep so they can’t go and learn their craft before they go onto the big stage, whereas it’s TV, film or West End,” she said.

“I do feel incredibly sorry for them and they’re also competing with people who are celebrities for the wrong reason. I think it’s really sad.

“Emily knows the situation but I haven’t really got a lot of advice because I didn’t have to combat what she’s going to have to combat. I don’t know how she’s going to do it.”

Rogerson says in the current credit crunch, if employers want to keep their workforce, they need to communicate more with their employees and try to iron out any concerns.

“With dark clouds on the economic horizon, employers may revert to short-term retention tactics, focusing too heavily on salaries, for example.

“By contrast, in many cases, improved communication and a more flexible approach can empower and liberate employees.

“Trying to keep frustrated employees motivated and upbeat will be one of the key challenges for businesses in these tougher economic conditions. Ignoring employees’concerns will not be an option.”

Tips for boosting employees’ job satisfaction:

  • Make sure that communication with employees is honest and personal – conduct anonymous employee surveys as well as face-to-face meetings to uncover underlying sources of tension or dissatisfaction within the workforce
  • Tell them where they fit within the company, what is expected of them and what they need to achieve in order to ensure promotion.
  • Develop employees with training – not only does training improve skill levels, it also signals to employees that they are valued by the company and that the company expects to retain them.
  • Small problems in companies are sometimes left to fester and swell to create irresolvable issues. Putting in place a process of regular, informal sessions with line managers can help nip these in the bud.