What is the proportion of employees who feel that they do useful work.
The information is based on the self-assessment of the interviewees as part of a Europe-wide telephone survey on working conditions.
An important aspect of work motivation is a persons’ identification with the job performed. Ideally, employees consider their job as important and meaningful and useful and can also contribute ideas of their own.
Almost 88% consider their job as useful
Most respondents saw a useful activity in their work in 2021. 88% of those surveyed always or often felt they were doing useful work. The younger age groups see their work somewhat less often as useful. While 81% of the 25 to 34 year olds see the least meaning in their work, in the group of 55 and over it is already 94%. At 89%, women are slightly more likely than men (87%) to see a meaning in their work.
| Age from ... to ... years | Total | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|---|
| Source: European Working Conditions Survey (EWCTS) 2021 | |||
| 15 - 24 | 84 | 82 | 87 |
| 25 - 34 | 81 | 81 | 80 |
| 35 - 44 | 88 | 83 | 92 |
| 45 - 54 | 90 | 89 | 92 |
| 55 and more | 94 | 95 | 93 |
| Total | 88 | 87 | 89 |
Differences by sector
However, a difference can be observed by looking at the economic sectors in which the respondents work. Employees in the areas of education (93%), financial and insurance activities (93%) and Human Health and social work activities (92%) most often see their work as useful.
Information on the Indicator
Description or Definition
Percentage of employees (aged 15 or over) who see their work as useful in all employees (aged 15 or over) with valid information on their job.
A job is considered useful if the interviewees have always or often rated it as useful.
Source
European Working Conditions Survey (EWCTS 2021)
Information for interpretation
Results are based on the self-assessment of respondents in the European Working Conditions Survey. (EWCTS 2021).
For more information on the European Working Conditions Surveys, (EWCS) and the comparability with results from previous surveys please refer to the website of Eurofound.