The CIPD Good Work Index is an annual benchmark of good work or job quality in the UK. Each year, we survey more than 5,000 workers across different sectors and occupations about key aspects of their work and employment and offer insights to drive improvement in working lives.
The purpose of our CIPD Good Work Index research is to set out how people work and what they think about it. We achieve this by capturing data on seven dimensions of work to define what good work looks like.
These seven dimensions are as follows:
- Pay and benefits
- Contracts
- Work-life balance
- Job design and the nature of work
- Relationships at work
- Employee voice
- Health and wellbeing
Latest research
Our latest research explores job quality in the UK today and the factors impacting it, such as public sector discontent and the cost-of-living crisis. Our evidence suggests that whilst job satisfaction in the UK is high, we’re seeing a slow shift away from engaging and fulfilling jobs.
Our latest research is packed with practical guidance and includes two UK-wide reports (a survey report and a summary report), and three local reports (A north of England report, a Wales report, and Working Lives Scotland – our Scotland report).
Readers of our CIPD Good Work Index can use our latest research to help inform policy and practice, and to protect job quality and job quantity.
Please note: 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 2023 | Summary report and practical guidance
Download the summary report and guidanceCIPD 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 affected by a range of factors, including HR practices, the quality of people management and by workers themselves.
CIPD Trust
Tackling barriers to work today whilst creating inclusive workplaces of tomorrow.
Bullying
and harassment
Discover our practice guidance and recommendations to tackle bullying and harassment in the workplace.
Podcast 200: Has working remotely killed organisational culture?
The Trust uses its Workplace Health and Wellbeing Framework to integrate health and wellbeing throughout the organisation, embedding it in culture, leadership and people management practices
Explore the findings and recommendations from the CIPD’s survey exploring health, wellbeing and absence in UK workplaces
Insights into productivity and people management practices
A policy report providing latest insights on the scale and nature of the UK’s gig economy
This quarterly survey is one of the most authoritative employment indicators in the UK and provides forward-looking labour market data and analysis on employers’ recruitment, redundancy and pay intentions