I will cut this out, paste it on my wall, give copies to my colleagues and bosses…

Lecturers over the age of 50 are the unhappiest in their university jobs and almost half would quit now if they could, found a University and College Union (UCU) poll, released today.

UCU joint general secretary, Sally Hunt, said: “We have a group of incredibly devoted and hardworking lecturers in their 50s, many of who are clearly very unhappy.

“In a sector where age and wisdom have traditionally been synonymous, I cannot understand why universities are failing to treat their staff with respect they deserve. All too often, it is this group that are the first to be considered for voluntary redundancy, and little is done to consider their needs and how best to use their wealth of experience and knowledge.”