A survey of 2,000 employees by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) finds that almost half (49 per cent) of middle managers feel under pressure every day or at least once or twice a week.

The findings in CIPD’s Employee Outlook survey reveals that the statistic compares unfavourably with the survey average of 37 per cent.

Of those middle managers surveyed, only 44 per cent agree they are satisfied with their work-life balance compared to 70 per cent among employees with no managerial responsibilities.

Ben Willmott, head of public policy at the CIPD, says, ‘Middle managers are often caught in the middle between delivering strategic objectives and managing under-pressure line managers. They can also be first in line when organisations look to reduce head count.’

The research also finds that job security ranks highly for middle management fears. One in three (29 per cent) say it is likely that they could lose their job as a result of the economic downturn.

Only 15 per cent of senior managers, and 21 per cent of employees, feel the same way.

Willmott adds, ‘While middle management will undoubtedly bear its share of job losses in organisations 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.’

Additionally Willmott says that middle managers are effective at facilitating ‘two-way communications between leaders and the front line’, which is lost if a business implements a ‘delayering’ of the middle management tier.