Being in a job is good for wellbeing. Being in a ‘high quality’ job is even better for us*.

By high quality, we don’t mean a certain skill level, type or industry. It’s about what makes a job worthwhile for us. Things like:

• how secure it is
• the social connections we have
• the ability to use and develop our skills
• clear responsibilities
• opportunities to have a say in a supportive workplace.

Evidence is clear that such characteristics are significant for our wellbeing at work. If we move into a role with none, or fewer, of these elements, our life satisfaction drops. Even when we move out of unemployment and into work, how big an impact this has on our wellbeing depends on the quality of the job.

A good job is important, but the evidence shows that attempts to improve job quality through job redesign often fail. What needs to happen alongside job redesign to allow organisations to improve wellbeing and performance?