The American Job Quality Survey, or AJQS, is a multiyear research project that goes beyond wages and employment status to examine how job conditions affect workers’ well-being, job satisfaction, health, work-life balance and personal financial stability. It is a collaboration between the Upjohn Institute, Gallup, Jobs for the Future, and The Families & Workers Fund.
The survey’s first major finding: 62% of U.S. workers do not have high-quality work schedules—defined as schedules that are predictable, stable, and offer some control over hours. These workers are far less likely to feel financially secure, report a good work-life balance or express satisfaction with their jobs.
“This is the most extensive effort ever undertaken to measure job quality in the U.S. workforce,” said Susan Houseman, senior economist at the Upjohn Institute and lead researcher on the project. “We’re capturing a fuller picture of what makes a job good or bad from the worker’s perspective—and that’s critical for shaping policy, employer practices, and workforce development efforts.”
The AJQS draws on responses from more than 6,500 workers across all income levels, industries, and regions. Its detailed framework tracks key job dimensions such as wages, benefits, schedule quality, opportunities for advancement, and autonomy.
Read the full report from Gallup.
More insights from the American Job Quality Survey will come later this year.