STM Blog
Less Than Half of U.S. Workers Have Quality Jobs, Landmark Study Reveals
Last Updated on October 23, 2025 by Daily News Staff
New research exposes a hidden crisis in America’s workforce—and what it means for businesses and workers alike
Less Than Half of U.S. Workers Have Quality Jobs, Landmark Study Reveals
When we talk about the health of the economy, we usually focus on unemployment rates and wage growth. But a groundbreaking new study suggests we’ve been missing the bigger picture—and the reality is more troubling than the headlines suggest.
The American Job Quality Study (AJQS), a collaboration between Jobs for the Future, The Families & Workers Fund, W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research, and Gallup, surveyed more than 18,000 workers across the country. The findings paint a stark picture: only four in 10 U.S. workers have jobs that meet basic standards of quality.
What Makes a “Quality Job”?
The study defines a quality job as one that meets minimum thresholds in at least three of five critical dimensions:
- Financial well-being – earning enough to live comfortably
- Workplace culture and safety – feeling respected and secure
- Growth and development opportunities – access to training and advancement
- Agency and voice – having input on decisions that affect your work
- Work structure and autonomy – control over how and when you work
These aren’t luxuries. They’re the fundamentals that research shows drive both employee satisfaction and business success.
The Numbers Tell a Troubling Story
The study’s findings reveal deep inequities and widespread challenges:
Financial Strain Is Real
Nearly three in 10 employees say they’re “just getting by” or “finding it difficult to get by.” Another 43% are merely “doing okay.” Only 27% report living comfortably. Perhaps most striking: half of all employees earn at or below 300% of the federal poverty line for a family of two.
The Quality Gap Isn’t Equal
Access to quality jobs varies dramatically across demographics and geography. Men are significantly more likely than women to hold quality jobs (45% vs. 34%). Regional differences are notable too—44% of workers in the West have quality jobs, compared to just 36% in the Midwest.
Interestingly, non-W-2 workers—independent contractors, self-employed individuals, and informal workers—fare slightly better than traditional employees, with 46% in quality jobs compared to 39% of W-2 employees.
Respect Without Voice
While 83% of workers feel respected by colleagues and customers, there’s a disconnect when it comes to having a say in their work lives. Nearly seven in 10 employees believe they have less influence than they should over their pay and benefits. More than half want more input on technology adoption, and nearly half feel they lack sufficient say over their working conditions.
Schedule Instability Creates Stress
Most workers (71%) report having autonomy over how they do their work. But more than half lack control over whenthey work, dealing with unpredictable and unstable schedules—a major driver of stress and disengagement.
Training Gaps Persist
Only about half of employees participated in on-the-job training or education programs in the past year. Those with more formal education and those at larger organizations are most likely to receive development opportunities, widening the gap for workers who might benefit most.
Why This Matters—For Everyone
“Traditional labor statistics track how many people are employed and what they earn—but they don’t capture the aspects of work that drive employee and business success,” said Maria Flynn, President and CEO of Jobs for the Future.
The consequences of low job quality ripple outward. Workers in quality jobs report dramatically higher job satisfaction (58% vs. 23% for those in lower-quality jobs), better health, and greater overall life satisfaction. For businesses, this translates to lower turnover, higher productivity, and stronger performance.
“Companies that invest in quality jobs tend to experience increased employee retention, productivity, and innovation,” noted Rachel Korberg, Executive Director and Co-Founder of the Families and Workers Fund.
A New Way to Measure What Matters
Former U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Commissioner Erica Groshen, now a Research Fellow at the Upjohn Institute, emphasized the importance of looking beyond traditional metrics: “The gap between what labor market data tells us and what workers are experiencing has only become clearer in recent years. The American Job Quality Study represents an effort to close that gap.”
Stephanie Marken, Senior Partner at Gallup, put it simply: “Counting jobs is no longer enough. Workers in quality jobs aren’t just more satisfied, they’re also healthier, more engaged, and more productive. Improving job quality isn’t only the right thing for workers; it’s a smart investment in stronger businesses and a more resilient economy.”
What Comes Next
The study’s data set and methodology are now publicly available, offering researchers, policymakers, and business leaders a new tool to understand and improve working conditions across America.
For business leaders, the message is clear: job quality isn’t a nice-to-have—it’s a competitive advantage. For policymakers, the data provides a roadmap for targeted interventions that can strengthen communities and drive inclusive economic growth.
And for workers? This study validates what millions already know from experience: having a job isn’t the same as having a good job. The question now is whether we’re ready to do something about it.
The full findings from the American Job Quality Study are available at gallup.com/analytics/691241/american-job-quality-study.aspx.
SOURCE JFF
https://stmdailynews.com/%f0%9f%93%9c-who-created-blogging-a-look-back-at-the-birth-of-the-blog/
Community
4 Ways to Preserve Veterans’ Stories for Future Generations
Family stories, photographs, letters and memories all have a place in the broader story of humanity, but if they aren’t recorded and preserved, they can fade over time. Consider these ways to help the veterans in your life preserve their stories and leave their mark on history. Preserve Veterans’ Stories for Future Generations
4 Ways to Preserve Veterans’ Stories for Future Generations
(Feature Impact) History is built from stories and memories, which is why it’s important to listen to the people who were there as the world changed. Family stories, photographs, letters and memories all have a place in the broader story of humanity, but if they aren’t recorded and preserved, they can fade over time.
Because more than 70 years have passed since the Korean War ended, opportunities to hear firsthand accounts from earlier conflicts grow fewer as time passes. Veterans and their families may be able to help record stories and lessons from “The Forgotten War” that might otherwise be lost.
You don’t need to be a historian to help preserve your loved ones’ memories and experiences. Programs like the Library of Congress Veterans History Project are dedicated to collecting stories from people like Private First Class Robert Lawrence Barber, who wrote regular letters home to his mother while serving in Korea. They paint a harrowing picture of combat, exhaustion, cold, fatigue and the stark realities of war that should never be forgotten. Experiences away from combat can be equally revealing, from daily routines and friendships to unexpected challenges.
Consider these ways to help the veterans in your life preserve their stories and leave their mark on history.
Start the Conversation Now
When it comes to recording memories, time is of the essence, especially for those who served in Korea. Decades may have passed, but each day makes a difference. Sit down with your loved one and gently start the conversation. You don’t have to get the entire backstory at once, but you can begin asking questions about their military experience and give them time to gather their thoughts.
Record Their Story
How a story is told can add dimension to the story itself. An audio or video recording preserves your loved one’s voice, expressions and emotions along with their words, giving your family memories to look back on for generations. Choose a quiet, comfortable space and test the equipment before recording.
Consider Preserving the Story Beyond Your Family
Family stories are most meaningful to those who know and love the storyteller, but they also matter to the world. Sharing veterans’ stories – including difficulties and ordinary moments – offers others a firsthand view of military life. Libraries and oral history archives may be able to preserve qualifying material for a wider audience.
“We want all stories, not just those from the foxhole or the battlefronts, but from all veterans who served the United States in uniform,” said Monica Mohindra, director of the Veterans History Project. “What did they hear? What did they see? What did it mean to them?”
If you have oral history interviews, and/or original photographs, letters or other records, consider contributing them to be archived and made accessible to future generations. Staff members are available to help you curate and select physical materials to contribute to the nation’s library.
Give Old Photos and Letters Context
Brush the dust off those old photo albums, scrapbooks and memory boxes because they may contain tangible pieces of history. A photograph, letter or piece of memorabilia could be what a veteran needs to bring fuzzy memories back into focus – whether it’s seeing the face of an old comrade or reading a letter written home. That gives you the opportunity to hear new stories and fill in context.
Learn more, discover veterans’ histories and find instructions for contributing veterans’ stories at loc.gov/vets.
Photo courtesy of Shutterstock (man looking at photo album)
Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress (group of soldiers)
SOURCE:
Library of Congress Veterans History Project
Rod's Pure Thoughts
Remembering Patrick Stewart: A Star Trek Journey Through My Life
Remembering Patrick Stewart: From childhood adventures with Kirk to finding another favorite captain in Picard, Rod Washington reflects on Patrick Stewart, the Next Generation cast, and the creativity they inspired.
From childhood afternoons with the original Enterprise crew to the reunion in Picard, Star Trek has been part of my life for decades. Patrick Stewart helped make that journey unforgettable.
Remembering Patrick Stewart
The news of Sir Patrick Stewart’s passing has me thinking about how much of my life has had Star Trek somewhere in the background—and often right in the foreground.
Star Trek: The Original Series has been my favorite since I was in single digits. Kirk, Spock, McCoy and the rest of that crew were part of my childhood. Long before there was a Captain Picard, that was my Enterprise.
Then came the motion-picture era with the original cast. The Wrath of Khan arrived during my teenage years. The Voyage Home followed in my young adulthood. As I grew up, those familiar characters kept coming back with new adventures.
Then we got a new Enterprise and a new generation.
A New Crew Earned Its Place
When Star Trek: The Next Generation began, my reaction was something like, “It’s okay.”
I continued watching. I was curious, but I already had a strong attachment to the original crew. That kind of connection takes time to build.
By the end of the first season, though, I was crazy about The Next Generation.
Patrick Stewart had a lot to do with that. His portrayal of Jean-Luc Picard gave me another captain to believe in. He had his own presence, his own way of handling a situation, and a way of making you listen when he spoke.
Eventually, Picard was on par with Kirk in my eyes. Coming from someone who had loved the original series since childhood, that says a lot.
From the Enterprise to First Contact
The series became an important part of my adult entertainment life. I cared about the characters and wanted to see where their stories would go.
After the television series ended, the TNG movies gave us more time with them. My favorite remains First Contact. It is the one that stands out most for me from that chapter of Star Trek.
Looking back, I can trace different stages of my life through these shows and movies: childhood with the original series, my teenage years with The Wrath of Khan, young adulthood with The Voyage Home, and then the years spent getting to know Picard’s crew.
That is a long relationship to have with a fictional universe. The people who bring it to life become familiar faces across decades.
Seeing Everyone Together Again
By the time Star Trek: Picard arrived, I was well into another chapter of my own life.
It was fun to see those familiar faces again, especially when the crew came back together. There was a lot of personal history attached to watching them share the screen.
Patrick Stewart and the rest of the cast—and yes, that includes Wil Wheaton—were an important part of my adult life as a viewer. Each contributed to a crew I grew to love.
Seeing them again brought back the feeling that had kept me watching all those years earlier.
Thank You for the Inspiration
What stays with me most is how much creativity those performances sparked.
As someone who enjoys filmmaking and storytelling, I appreciate entertainment that leaves me wanting to create something of my own. Stewart and his castmates gave me that feeling many times over the years.
His passing makes me appreciate the time we had with him on screen and the work we can return to. I can watch an episode, revisit First Contact, or spend another evening with the crew and remember why these stories meant so much to me.
The original series will always have that special place in my heart. Patrick Stewart helped another Enterprise crew earn a place there, too.
Thank you, Sir Patrick, for the years of entertainment, the inspiration, and a captain who became part of my life.
News Background
Stewart died October 28, 2026, at age 86, according to his spokesperson’s statement reported by Reuters. This entry is a personal reflection on his work and its place in my life.
Reader question: When did Captain Picard and the Next Generation crew win you over?
STM Blog
Golden Bird in Compton: When Mom Took a Night Off
Golden Bird in Compton was an occasional Friday or Saturday treat when Mom wanted a break from cooking. A personal look back at its Alondra Boulevard location and the memories that linger.
Some childhood meals stay with you for decades. For me, Golden Bird fried chicken in Compton is one of them.
Growing up in the Los Angeles area, an occasional Friday or Saturday meant my mom wanted a break from cooking. Those were the nights when takeout became a treat, and Golden Bird was one of the places I remember enjoying most.
The location on East Alondra Boulevard sounds like the one we visited. Researching it brought me to 2600 East Alondra Boulevard, Compton—an address listed in Los Angeles County records under Golden Bird #1.
An address can help place a memory on a map. But what I remember most is much simpler: the chicken was delicious, and getting it was a welcome weekend treat.
Part of Our Family’s Takeout Rotation
Golden Bird wasn’t our only chicken stop. Over the years, there was Pioneer, KFC, Church’s, Louisiana Fried Chicken, and later Popeyes. I also remember Jim Dandy from when I was very young, especially its crinkle-cut fries.
Each name brings back a different memory. Golden Bird brings me back to Compton and those evenings when my mother could take some time off from preparing dinner.
As a kid, I thought about enjoying the food. Looking back, I also appreciate what those meals meant for her: one less dinner to cook and a chance to take a break.
The History Behind the Address
Golden Bird’s own history describes a family recipe associated with Zelma and a wet batter designed to give the chicken a crisp outside while keeping the meat moist. My own memory is simply that I loved eating it.
The Alondra Boulevard location also connects to another chapter in Southern California’s fried-chicken history. Vincent Williams opened a Compton Golden Bird franchise in 1983, according to the Los Angeles Times.
A later profile described Williams developing his Honey’s Kettle concept in his former Compton franchise location. Honey’s Kettle dates its beginnings on Alondra Boulevard to 2000, and a 2012 restaurant visit documented its original location at 2600 East Alondra Boulevard. Those accounts point to a connection between the two businesses at that address.
I haven’t established who operated the restaurant during every year my family visited. But learning about its history adds another layer to a place I remember through its food.
A Weekend Memory Worth Keeping
For me, Golden Bird’s place in the story starts with family. It was an occasional treat, a meal I enjoyed, and a Friday or Saturday when Mom could let someone else handle the cooking.
Decades later, that is still a good reason to remember a neighborhood restaurant.
Editor’s note: Golden Bird is still serving fried chicken in South Los Angeles at 8300 South Western Avenue, at West 83rd Street. For those of us who remember it as a weekend family treat, it’s good to know the Golden Bird name remains part of LA’s food scene. Order pickup and delivery
Did you eat at the Golden Bird on Alondra Boulevard—or another Golden Bird location? Share your memories and favorite orders in the comments.
Explore more food stories in STM Daily News’ Food & Drink section.
