Job Quality Unpacked: Dimensions and Determinants

Which working conditions shape workers’ assessment of the quality of their job or employment? Using a primary dataset ( N = 3,784), from a unique survey, we examine the association between a comprehensive range of working conditions and workers’ evaluations of the quality of their own job and employment situation. We create ten dimensions of job quality, distinguishing broadly between objective and subjective determinants. We estimate the relative contribution of each dimension and its several components. Regression results indicate that while objective factors like compensation play a role, a large proportion of the variation in perceived job quality stems from subjective aspects, including job security, meaningfulness of work, and workplace relationships. These findings highlight the importance of non-monetary factors in shaping workers’ job quality, most of which could be improved at least indirectly via practices and policies.