Quality of Employment
What is quality of employment?
Employers understand that they have to offer quality jobs to their employees if they want talented people to work for them, rather than for a competitor (Mercer, 2007). The quality of employment is important to employers and their employees.
Organizations that want to become and remain employers-of-choice ask themselves: What will motivate employees (or prospective employees) to come to work for our organization, work hard for our organization when they are here, and want to stay working for our organization (rather than going to work for a competitor)?
Quality of Employment Framework
The Center on Aging & Work’s Quality of Employment Framework focuses on eight specific dimensions that are consistent with components of the employer-of-choice concept.
The interpretation of each of these dimensions of quality employment varies from workplace to workplace. Recognizing this variability, we provide some general descriptions and core elements of each aspect of the quality of employment in the second column of the table below.
Dimensions of Quality of Employment Framework |
Description |
Example |
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Fair, Attractive and Competitive Compensation & Benefits | Employees' basic needs are securedm and fair and equitable distribution of compensation and benefits among empployees is promoted. |
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Opportunities for Development, Learning & Advancement | Job skill development and advancement are promoted for employees of as many industrial sectors, employment statuses, and life/career stages as possible. |
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Wellness, Health & Safety Protections | Protection of employees' safety and health at their worksites is mandated, and their physical and mental well-being is promoted. In the case of job-related injury or illness, compensation or other forms of social protection are offered. |
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Workplace Flexibility, Autonomy & Control | Availability and utilization of flexible work options are promoted for employees of various life stages through increasing their control over work hours, locations, and other work conditions. |
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Opportunities for Meaningful Work | Opportunities for meaningful and fulfilling work are available. |
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Promotion of Constructive Relationships at the Workplace | Employer-employee frictions are mitigated, and constructive workplace relations are fascilitated. |
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Culture of Respect, Inclusion & Equity | Diversity in the workplace and incluson of less-advantaged populations are promoted, and equity in work conditions is pursued. |
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Provisions for Employment Security & Predictabilities | Stable provision of employment opportunities for job seekers is promoted, clear communication of terms of employment is fascilitated, and protecting the job security of the employed is a policy objective. |
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