This NERI Working Paper no 77 was written by Dr. Lisa Wilson, Senior Economist, NERI for the Department for the Economy Northern Ireland.
An underlying question to much of the debate surrounding the Good Jobs Bill is whether strengthening trade union rights - including improved access for unions and expanding statutory recognition to smaller firms - would benefit workers, businesses, the economy, and society as a whole. As well as examining voice and representation as defining attributes of job quality, the paper highlights their role as key levers for improving employee health and wellbeing, organisational performance, business outcomes and productivity.