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.

Our Northern Ireland report draws on our UK-wide CIPD Good Work Index research to examine how people work in Northern Ireland 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. 

Latest findings

Our latest Northern Ireland report highlights the inequalities and trade-offs in job quality, significant differences by gender, age or caring responsibilities, and some of the key underlying factors that impact employees’ experiences of ‘good work’. It provides insights for people professionals, employers and policy-makers on the considerations for improving outcomes for individuals, organisations and the economy. 

Our Northern Ireland sample comprises 499 respondents of the total 5,496 employees across the UK. 

Download our latest report below

CIPD Good Work Index 2024: Northern Ireland

Download the report
PDF document 1.1 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  
  • is affected by a range of factors, including HR practices, the quality of people management and by workers themselves. 

CIPD Good
Work Index

Read our latest UK-wide report on job quality in the UK.

Read more
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