What Workers Want in a Job

Question: Now I’d like you to think about what’s important for you in a job. If you were looking for a new job today, how important would the following be for you? Please answer on a scale from 1 to 5, where 1 means not at all important and 5 means very important:

• Work that pays well
• Work that comes with good benefits
• Work that is interesting
• Work where your employer has a strong sense of commitment to you
• Work where you feel a strong sense of commitment to your employer
• Work where the communication is good among the people with whom you work
• Work where your job security is good
• Work where the people you work with are friendly & helpful
• Work that allows you to balance your work & family or personal life
• Work that gives you a sense of accomplishment
• Work that allows you freedom to do your job
• Work that lets you develop your skills & abilities
• Work where your chances for career advancement are good
• Work where you receive the training you need to do the job effectively
• Work where the people you work for treat you with respect
• Work where you receive recognition for work well done
• Work where you can choose your own schedule within established limits

Source: CPRN – EKOS Changing Employment Relationships Survey Questionnaire 2000 [Q – 64a-q]

Notes: The Changing Employment Relationship Survey contains a sample of 2,500 employed respondents and is representative of Canada's employed population 18 years of age and over. Telephone interviews took place between February and March 2000. The survey has a margin of error of + / - 2 percentage points 19 times out of 20.