The CIPD Good Work Index is an annual benchmark of job quality in the UK. Each year, we survey more than 5,000 workers from different sectors and occupations about key aspects of their work and employment to offer evidence-based insights for people professionals, employers and policy-makers to improve work and working lives.

The research examines how people work and what they think about it. We capture data on seven dimensions of work to develop a picture of what good work looks like. These seven dimensions are: 

  • Pay and benefits
  • Contracts 
  • Work–life balance  
  • Job design and the nature of work 
  • Relationships at work 
  • Employee voice 
  • Health and wellbeing.

The CIPD Good Work Index includes two UK-wide reports (a survey report and a summary report), and four local reports which will be published in following weeks – North of England; Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland (titled Working Lives Scotland).

Latest findings

In our latest research, workplace conflict emerged as the central focus of analysis. The headline result is positive, as the proportion of employees having experienced conflict at work over 12 months dropped from 30% in 2019 to 25% in 2024. But those with protected characteristics were more severely impacted, leading to negative outcomes like lower job satisfaction, poorer mental health and higher levels of exhaustion. Experiencing conflict was also linked to poorer perceptions of senior leaders and managers’ roles in encouraging employee voice.

Meanwhile, increasing numbers of workers are viewing work as transactional – simply for the money. While not a major problem on its own, combining this trend with other findings does suggest the risk of a slide into mediocre work with demotivated, uncommitted and unproductive staff. 

Our research provides details of these and other findings along with insight and practical guidance to help people professionals, employers and policy-makers understand the issues and take action to improve outcomes for individuals, organisations and the economy. 

While these findings are based on UK data, the broader trends and implications should be of interest wherever you are based. 

Download our latest reports below 

CIPD Good Work Index 2024 | Survey report

Download the survey report
PDF document 1.2 MB

CIPD Good Work Index 2024 | Summary report and practical guidance

Download the summary report and guidance
PDF document 1.2 MB

CIPD view on good work 

The CIPD believes that good work is fundamental to individual wellbeing, supports a strong, fair society, and creates motivated workers, productive organisations and a strong economy.  

We define ‘good work’ as work that:  

  • is fairly rewarded  
  • gives people the means to securely make a living  
  • provides opportunities to develop skills and a career and gives a sense of fulfilment  
  • delivers a supportive environment with constructive relationships  
  • allows for work–life balance  
  • is physically and mentally healthy for people  
  • gives people the voice and choice they need to shape their working lives  
  • is accessible to all.  

Good work is influenced by a range of factors, including HR practices, the quality of people management and by workers themselves. 

CIPD Good Work Index:
Northern Ireland

Read our Northern Ireland summary of the CIPD Good Work Index 2024 survey report.

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CIPD Good Work
Index: Wales

Read our Wales summary of the CIPD Good Work Index 2024 survey report.

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CIPD Good Work Index: North
of England

Read our North of England summary of the CIPD Good Work Index 2024 survey report.

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Working
Lives Scotland

Access our latest dedicated analysis of job quality and its impact on working lives in Scotland.

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Good
Work Stories

People from different professions share their personal experience of work to help us understand how we can make work better for everyone.

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