Today, we’re delighted to be launching a new definition of good work, written by young people.
“Good work means feeling valued, fulfilled and supported. It means being respected and treated fairly in a workplace that is diverse and inclusive, where there is open and honest communication and decent pay. Everyone should have a voice. Good work is done to a high standard and gives you a sense of achievement. It happens in a place where you can make change happen. Good work protects your health and wellbeing. You’re excited to tell your friends and family about good work, not because they ask but because you’re proud of it.”
Throughout 2024, supported by funding from Youth Futures Foundation, Workwhile have been working with young people to understand how they define good work, what matters most to them, and the difference it makes to their lives. You can hear directly from some of the young people involved in the project in this video.
We know that good quality work is vital to enable young people to successfully transition into work. It can be ‘make or break’ in terms of young people’s health and wellbeing, their financial security, and their ability to progress further in their career. But too many young people, especially those from disadvantaged and marginalised backgrounds, struggle to access good quality work. This definition will guide policy makers and youth employment practitioners to ensure that we’re creating jobs for young people that meet their needs and support them to thrive as they begin their working lives.
Anna Ambrose, Director of Workwhile, said:
“Workwhile supports employers to create good work and to ensure everyone can access it. To do that, we wanted to hand ownership of how we define good work to young people themselves. Their words make a compelling case not just for for what they need, but also what they want to give back to their employers and the wider community.
Above all, this definition is empowering for employers of all sizes. Young people have told us that they want work which has purpose; where they have a voice and can make a difference; where they are respected and paid fairly; and which has a positive impact on their health and wellbeing. Those things depend first and foremost on leadership and culture, which are within the scope of employers of any size and in any sector.”
Barry Fletcher, CEO at Youth Futures Foundation:
“At Youth Futures Foundation, we strive for a society where all young people can access good work. I am delighted that our collaboration with Workwhile has resulted in such a powerful definition, which enables us to really hear young people’s voices and put them front and centre of the conversation. Knowing that young people want to make a difference and do a great job should spur employers and policy makers to continue listening to young people, and to develop policy and practice that supports them to thrive.
This definition is a foundational step in our ongoing work to develop a comprehensive, data-driven understanding of what constitutes good work for young people. Equipped with robust evidence, we can be confident that when we strive to make good work accessible for young people, we strive for a vision of ‘good work’ that meets their needs.”