“Nationwide, more than 54 million Americans are working in low-wage jobs and roughly six in 10 workers report being in ‘mediocre’ or ‘bad’ jobs,” according to Results for America. There is a growing movement to rethink what makes a job “good” and prioritize efforts to create high quality employment.
Career Insights Virtual Event
On February 18, 2025, Goodwill-Easter Seals Minnesota (GESMN) hosted Career Insights, a virtual panel event, to explore this topic of improving job quality. Chief Services and Programs Officer Sheila Olson moderated the discussion with Minneapolis Employment & Training Manager with the City of Minneapolis, Mark Brinda; and Workforce & Economic Development Director at Results for America, Jess Valand.
Valand explained that the foundation of a quality job is sufficient compensation, but extends to include stable schedules, physical safety, pathways for professional advancement and a sense of purpose and meaning.
Brinda shared that the City of Minneapolis works with partners like GESMN and Results for America so it can support local employers to improve job quality. This includes advocating for things like healthcare, sick and safe time and reducing transit time, while also supporting entry-level workers so they can advance in their careers.
Advice from Experts
Everyday citizens can advocate for job quality in their communities in big and small ways. “You actually have a ton of agency in your life for how other people perceive the quality of their work,” said Valand. Valand continued adding you should remember many of the people you interact with during the day are at work in that moment – you can maximize their sense of purpose and meaning by being grateful, kind and appreciative of their work. You can also find out what the livable wage is in your community. This may change your perspective when you interact with other people in the labor market around you every day and give you information you need to push for quality jobs, Valand added.
The panelists emphasized that an important part of job quality is having good alignment between the employee and their job. Over 40% of Americans are in a job that is a mismatch with their skillset, according to the Federal Reserve. Increasing this alignment not only improves job quality for each individual but creates a more efficient and productive economy that benefits everyone.
Additional resources for improving job quality:
- Good Jobs Institute
- Pacific Community Ventures – Good Jobs Toolkit
- Results for America – Job Quality Playbook
Creating Career Possibilities Together
GESMN has been creating career possibilities since 1919. We eliminate barriers to work and independence with nearly 20 customized job training programs and resources to help people get access to jobs. Learn more about GESMN’s community impact and how you can support our efforts.
Watch Career Insights Virtual Event
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