40% of US workers have ‘quality’ jobs: Study
Two in 5 U.S. employees work in a “quality” job — one that allows employees to meet basic financial needs, feel safe and respected, expand their skills, have a voice in decisions affecting them and maintain some control over their work, according to the American Job Quality Study.
The study, led by Gallup, Jobs for the Future, the Families & Workers Fund and the W.E. Upjohn Institute, is touted as the first nationally representative survey to measure workers’ experience and assess U.S. job quality. It surveyed 18,429 U.S. adults between Jan. 13 and Feb. 25. Respondents were ages 18-75 and had worked for pay in the seven days prior to taking the survey.
Here are five things to know:
1. The youngest employees surveyed — ages 18-24 — are the least likely to have quality jobs, with only 29% reporting that they do. Men are more likely than women to have quality jobs, at 45% versus 34%.
2. Nearly 30% of employees said they are struggling financially: “just getting by” or finding it difficult to do so. This aligns with employees in the health and medical field, where 22% saying they are “just getting by” and 8% reported finding it difficult.
3. Many U.S. employees said they strongly or somewhat agree they are treated with respect at work, at 46% and 37%, respectively. These figures are comparable to responses from health and medical workers, at 45% and 39%, respectively.
4. Fifty-four percent of workers across industries said they often or sometimes work longer than scheduled, compared to 53% of those in health and medical roles.
5. Quality jobs are tied to better job and life satisfaction. More than half of those with quality jobs said they are “highly satisfied” at work, compared to 23% of those without quality jobs. Those in quality jobs said they are also more likely to feel happy regularly (47%) and report excellent or good health (49%), compared to 26% and 33%, respectively, among those without quality jobs.
The post 40% of US workers have ‘quality’ jobs: Study appeared first on Becker’s Hospital Review | Healthcare News & Analysis.