Although much of the career development literature focuses on developing managers and professionals, the career development needs of blue-collar and nonexempt employee (เช่น clerical and support staff and technician, who are paid hourly or weekly rates and are entitled to overtime) have often been ignored. One reason for this disregard is an assumption by many researchers, managers, and HR professionals that these employees do not have long-term ambitions that need to be addressed. However, given the large number of such employees and the critical role they play in organizational effectiveness, HRD professionals need to consider career development activities that allow organizations to better use the potential of these employees and serve their long-term needs.
Some HRD professionals are examining this issue. A survey of career development professionals about the development needs of nonexempt employees reveals the following:
1. Job satisfaction often comes from the work itself, which is problematic if the work is repetitive and unchallenging.
2. Changing current status (เช่น union to nonunion, blue collar to white collar) require both a significant personal investment and a significant cultural adjustment
3. Nonexempt employees may become more frustrated during their careers than exempt employees because opportunities to make a vertical transition are more limited for them.