A new workplace report finds that most Americans do not hold quality jobs. Only 40% of U.S. workers hold roles that provide financial well-being, a voice in workplace decisions, and opportunities for growth at safe and respectful workplaces. This means six in ten workers are being let down by their work in some way.

The study defined a “quality job” using five components: financial well-being; workplace culture and safety; growth and development opportunities; agency and voice; and work structure and autonomy. A role must meet the minimum threshold in at least three of these categories to be considered a quality job. The data are unpleasant. For example, 62% of people said they didn’t have reliable work schedules, which can drive up stress and worker disengagement. Furthermore, 69% of workers said they had less influence than they should over their pay and benefits. This lack of a “voice gap” is common across different groups of workers.

The report also highlights widespread economic anxiety. It found that 29% of people say they’re “just getting by” or “finding it difficult to get by” financially. Only 27% said they’re living “comfortably”. Inequality is also present everywhere. Men are more likely than women to say they’ve got quality jobs (45% versus 34%). Workers without a college degree and young people are among the least likely to have a quality job.

The data on job quality are important because having a quality job is linked with higher levels of job satisfaction. The study found that 58% of workers in quality roles have high job satisfaction compared to 23% of people in lower-quality jobs. This satisfaction is consistently linked in prior research to lower turnover, higher productivity, and stronger business performance.

So while there are positive results from workers that do have quality jobs, the reality is much different for the 60% of workers that don’t. As the report suggests, stress, financial instability, and a lack of control have become the norm for many in today’s American workplace.

1. 1. The underlined word “threshold” in Paragraph 2 most likely means ________.

A    the highest level

B    the starting point

C    a difficult choice

D    a final decision

2. 2. The example of “69% of workers” is used to illustrate what issue?

A    Lack of reliable schedules.

B    Common worker dissatisfaction.

C    High levels of work stress.

D    Need for more training.

3. 3. What can be learned about the relationship between gender and quality jobs?

A    Men face more inequality.

B    Women find jobs more easily.

C    Men access better jobs.

D    Women prefer certain jobs.

4. 4. What can high-quality jobs directly bring to companies?

A    Higher employee satisfaction.

B    Better workplace culture.

C    More training opportunities.

D    Improved business performance.