Leaders are being urged to remember the valuable role that their middle managers play, Fresh Business Thinking reports.

The request has been made by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) following publication of their quarterly Employee Outlook survey.

It found that 49 per cent of middle managers felt under extreme pressure at least twice a week, compared with 37 per cent of those without managerial responsibilities. Similarly, 66 per cent of middle managers were unhappy with their work/life balance, while the sentiment was shared by just 30 per cent of non-managers.

The survey also found that middle managers are the category most likely to be looking for a new job, with almost a third fearing that their role could be made redundant, given the economic downturn.

Hence the CIPD's call, no doubt directed at senior managers, executive interim management and other decision-makers.

"Middle managers are often caught in the middle between delivering strategic objectives and managing under-pressure line managers," said the CIPD's Ben Willmot to Wales Online. "They can also be the first in line when organisations look to reduce head count.

"While middle management will undoubtedly bear its share of job losses in organisation needing to reduce head count, it is also important to remember the crucial role these managers play in managing change, translating the objectives of senior managers into actions, and motivating others."

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