CIPD viewpoint
Explore the CIPD's collected perspective on the key issues impacting work, including recommendations, supporting evidence and links to resources for policymakers and employers
Explore the CIPD’s point of view on job quality and good work, including actions for Government and recommendations for employers
Policy makers and employers need to take action if they are to improve job quality across the workforce – not only aiming for more jobs, but better jobs.
Poor job quality is causing significant problems in the UK, such as a lack of work-life balance, stress, discrimination and an absence of meaningful voice at work.
There is no requirement to report at corporate level on workforce well-being and job quality, and currently no framework or definitions for employers to use to evaluate 'good work'.
More concrete action is required both from policy makers and employers to improve job quality across the workforce.
Quality of work has only recently been identified as a major UK Government public policy objective alongside boosting employment levels – not only aiming for more jobs, but better jobs. Although this objective has been recognised in the UK Government’s Industrial Strategy, as yet there is little detail on how this will be achieved.
A next step must be to develop and deliver an effective measurement framework for job quality. Employers should then be encouraged to report publicly on how they are addressing the components of good work, such as pay and benefits, contracts, job design, and the nature of work.
The 2017 Government-sponsored review of Modern Working Practices also recommended that public policy and employer practices should ensure that ‘all work should be fair and decent with realistic scope for development and fulfilment.'
The CIPD has carried out research to articulate a clear definition of ‘good work’ and to identify the most suitable way to measure job quality. Based on this, we define good work as work which:
Explore the CIPD's collected perspective on the key issues impacting work, including recommendations, supporting evidence and links to resources for policymakers and employers
Insights into fundamental aspects of working life, including how they can best be framed, measured and actioned
Engaging with ministers, other policy makers and our membership to inform our views to influence government