Quality Jobs Are a Choice

Why We Need to Think About Job Design

Overview

This issue brief reviews the history and current state of job design, highlights the benefits workers and businesses receive when jobs are designed with worker well-being in mind, and notes emerging issues and practices in job design related to technology, work-based learning, and employee ownership. We hope this brief sparks new thinking and conversations about how we can all encourage and contribute to designing work and workplaces that promote quality jobs.

Related Resources

The Resource Library is the heart of the Job Quality Center of Excellence. Check out our recent additions below, and click “View All Resources” to explore more.
Blank poster on the wall in modern office
Brief
13 Tips for Having Conversations About Flexible Work Options
NCWIT
Distribution warehouse manager greets new employee
Brief2024
The Importance of Participatory Decision Making in Designing Quality Jobs
Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program
Young Asian Engineer woman
Brief2024
ESOPs in the Manufacturing Industry
Rutgers Institute for the Study of Employee Ownership and Profit Sharing
ESOPs in Rural Areas
Brief2024
ESOPs in Rural Areas
Rutgers Institute for the Study of Employee Ownership and Profit Sharing
esop – word is written on wooden cubes on a blue background. close-up of wooden elements. In the background is a green flower.
Brief2024
Employee Ownership and ESOPs
Rutgers Institute for the Study of Employee Ownership and Profit Sharing
Business Owner Responsiveness to Employee Ownership Outreach Efforts
Brief2024
Business Owner Responsiveness to Employee Ownership Outreach Efforts
University of Pittsburgh, et al.
Welding work.
Brief2024
Upskilling Frontline Workers
Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program
Smiling engineers standing in a shipping yard shaking hands together
Brief2024
Quality Jobs Are a Choice
The Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program
Racial Equity and Job Quality
Brief2024
Racial Equity and Job Quality
Urban Institute
Two Businesswomen Using Laptop In Boardroom Meeting
Brief2024
Advancing Equity Through Worker Financial Health
Financial Health Network
Senior woman working at supermarket
Brief2024
Job Quality for Frontline Workforce Professionals
Workforce Professionals Training Institute
Male Student Working On Computer In College Library
Brief2024
Improving Training to Brighten the Future of Black Workers
Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies
Employment application
Brief2024
“Now Jobs” in Young Adult Workforce Programming
The Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program
Paid Family and Medical Leave
Brief2024
Paid Family and Medical Leave
National Partnership for Women and Families
Silhouette of engineer and construction team working at site over blurred background sunset pastel for industry background with Light fair.Create from multiple reference images together.
Brief2024
Impact Investing and Employee Ownership
The Democracy Collaborative
coronavirus.hospital cook cooking for hospitalized patients
Brief2024
The Future of Work for Low-Income Workers and Families
Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program and the Working Poor Families Project
Narrowing the Racial Wealth Gap
Brief2024
Narrowing the Racial Wealth Gap through Business Ownership
Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program
Woman working in gorcery checkout
Brief2024
The Retail Trade Workforce in the United States
Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program
Architect Walking Through Construction Site
Brief2024
Overview of Workers in Residential Construction
Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program
Professional nurse at the hospital bandaging the hand with a medical bandage for a woman patient.
Brief2024
Our Direct-Care Workers
The Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program

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