Work quality improving for employees in Northern Ireland
Date published:
New accredited official statistics published today by NISRA present findings on work quality across seventeen indicators for employees aged 18 and over in Northern Ireland in 2025.
Key findings
- Six of the seventeen work quality indicators improved significantly between 2021 and 2025. The biggest change was in the proportion of employees with the right level of skills for their job, up 7 percentage points (pps). The proportion working overtime also fell by 6pps, a positive development for work-life balance.
- Nearly all employees reported the most fundamental aspects of good work: over 98% had not had a work-related accident, 97% had job security, and 9 in 10 were not on a zero-hours contract.
- There were significant differences between males and females in five of the seventeen indicators. Females were more likely to report flexible working (64% compared to 45% of males), job satisfaction, and line manager support. Males were more likely to earn at least the Real Living Wage (RLW) (84% compared to 81%) and to not be on a zero-hours contract (91% compared to 88%).
- Employees aged 40 and over reported better outcomes than those aged 18 to 39 in six indicators. The largest gap was in RLW earnings, 89% of older workers met this threshold compared to 76% of younger workers, a difference of 13pps. Younger workers were, however, more likely to report opportunities for career progression (62% compared to 50%).
- Employees in high skilled jobs reported better outcomes than those in low skilled jobs in seven of the seventeen indicators, including RLW earnings (95% compared to 69%), career progression (67% compared to 44%), and involvement in decision making.
- Employees in the least deprived areas were 12pps more likely to earn at least the RLW than those in the most deprived areas (88% compared to 76%). However, employees in the most deprived areas were more likely to report never having been bullied or harassed at work (90% compared to 84%).
About this publication
This bulletin provides analysis of seventeen work quality indicators using data from the Labour Force Survey (LFS) and the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE). It covers employees aged 18 and over in Northern Ireland and includes breakdowns by sex, age group, deprivation quintile, and skill level. The report sits within the Carnegie Framework - Measuring Good Work, adopted by the Department for the Economy in 2024 to track progress against the Good Jobs agenda in Northern Ireland.
Further information
Read the full report: Work Quality in Northern Ireland 2025
View the data tables and background information: Work Quality in Northern Ireland 2025