Defining Quality of Working Life

Abstract

This paper presents the results of a step-by-step Delphi analysis used to develop a definition and measure of quality of working life [QWL] in a case specific setting. A representative panel of 64 employees from the headquarters of a large insurance company constituted the Delphi panel that engaged in defining QWL utilizing a six-phase Delphi methodology. The results of a 34-item QWL questionnaire developed from that definition were tested with a sizable [n = 450] sample of the company's employees. Those results identified the following seven significant predictors of QWL, four of which extended beyond specific job content: [a] degree to which my superiors treat me with respect and have confidence in my abilities, [b] variety in my daily work routine, [c] challenge of my work, [d] my present work leads to good future work opportunities, [e] self-esteem, [/l extent to which my life outside of work affects my life at work, and [g] the extent to which the work I do contributes to society.