Table 1.

Mapped Components of Work That Is Worthwhile Based on Three Frameworks

DimensionsCapability FrameworkGood Jobs InstituteGreat Jobs Study†
Pay and benefits

  • Earning a good income

  • Pay and benefits

  • Level of pay

  • Employee benefits

Job security

  • Schedules

  • Stable and predictable pay

  • Security and safety

  • Stable and predictable hours

  • Job security

Contribution

  • Using knowledge and skills

  • Contributing to something valuable

  • Meaningfulness

  • Recognition

  • Having a sense of purpose and dignity in your work

Growth

  • Developing knowledge and skills

  • Personal growth

  • Career path

  • Career advancement opportunities

Social connectedness

  • Building meaningful relationships

  • Belonging

Autonomy

  • Being involved in decision-making

  • Setting own goals

  • Achievement*

  • Control over hours and/or location

  • Having the power to change things about your job that you are not satisfied with

  • *The Good Jobs Institute defined “achievement” as having “autonomy, tools, time and resources to do great work.”20

  • †The Great Jobs Study used 10 workplace characteristics, although only 9 are shown here. The remaining characteristic was “enjoying your day-to-day work,” which we regarded more as an evaluation of one’s job instead of a dimension of work that is worthwhile.19