Studying the Quality of Work and Economic Life
Extensive cross-sectional and longitudinal studies provide insight into the quality of work and economic life over time.
C-QWELS
Canadian Quality of Work and Economic Life Study
In this landmark study, Professor Schieman has partnered with Angus Reid Global (ARG) to conduct nationally representative surveys of Canadian workers annually from 2019 to 2025 (total sample of 23,603). One objective is to investigate how Canadians perceive work and economic conditions, and how these factors shape the self-concept, status, and well-being. The longitudinal component has 15 waves of data that began in September 2019 with follow-ups into 2025 (extending to 2030). This offers a unique in-depth portrait of how Canadians have experienced the turbulence and fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic, cost of living, shifting trade policies, and other macro-level events.
Methodology
Annual + Longitudinal Survey
Sample Scope
23,603 Canadian Workers
Key Research Focal Points
- Partnered with Angus Reid Global (ARG).
- Annual nationally representative cross-sections from 2019 to 2025.
- Longitudinal component: 15 waves beginning September 2019, extending to 2030.
- Captures pandemic fallout, cost of living, and shifting trade policies.
MESSI
Measuring Employment Sentiments and Social Inequality
Annually from 2023 to 2026, Professor Schieman partnered with YouGov and ARG to conduct four nationally representative surveys of American workers (total sample of 11,500). The MESSI provides a unique portrait of attitudes, perceptions, and beliefs about work and inequality, measuring not only workers’ perceptions about their own personal job conditions and qualities, but also their perceptions of their fellow American workers’ job conditions and qualities. Schieman calls these “perception glitches.” In 2024, 2025, and 2026, he also fielded the MESSI in Canada with ARG (total sample of 8,828). And in 2026, he collaborated with Professor Jong Hyun Jung (Sungkyunkwan University) and Heeyoung Lee (University at Albany, SUNY) to field the MESSI in South Korea (sample of 2,000).
Methodology
Annual Cross-Sectional Survey
Sample Scope
22,328 across US, Canada, South Korea
Key Research Focal Points
- Annual U.S. surveys with YouGov and ARG (n=11,500).
- Canadian surveys in 2024, 2025, and 2026 with ARG (n=8,828).
- South Korea wave in 2026 with Jong Hyun Jung and Heeyoung Lee (n=2,000).
- Measures “perception glitches” — gaps between self-perception and views of fellow workers.
QES-UP
Quality of Employment Survey — Updated
In 2022 and 2023, Schieman partnered with ARG to field two nationally representative surveys of American workers and one nationally representative survey of Canadian workers (total sample of 6,928). He excavated classic questions from the 1972/1973 and 1977 Quality of Employment Survey and updated them (hence the name Quality of Employment Survey – Updated) to provide a 50-year snapshot of change from the 1970s to the present in the quality of worklife.
Methodology
Cross-Sectional Replication
Sample Scope
6,928 (US + Canada)
Key Research Focal Points
- Two American surveys fielded in 2022 and 2023.
- One Canadian survey fielded in 2023.
- Updates the original 1972/1973 and 1977 Quality of Employment Survey items.
- Provides a 50-year snapshot of change in the quality of worklife.
A-QWELS
American Quality of Work and Economic Life Study
In 2020 and 2021, as a parallel to the Canadian Quality of Work and Economic Life Study, Schieman collected data on 6,500 American workers (with ARG). Like the C-QWELS, one objective was to investigate how Americans perceive work and economic conditions, and the ways these factors shape status, satisfaction, and well-being.
Methodology
Nationally Representative Survey
Sample Scope
6,500 American Workers
Key Research Focal Points
- Parallel to C-QWELS, fielded with Angus Reid Global.
- Investigates American perceptions of work and economic conditions.
- Examines how status shapes satisfaction and well-being.
- Provides a U.S. comparison to Canadian C-QWELS findings.
CAN-WSH
Canadian Work, Stress, and Health Study
In 2011, Schieman fielded a nationally representative survey of 6,000 working Canadians and then followed them up every two years until 2019 (with the assistance of the research firm Malatest). One objective was to track changes in demands and resources that workers experience, with an emphasis on the work-family interface, after-hours work contact, multitasking, and work-life culture.
Methodology
Longitudinal Panel
Sample Scope
6,000 Canadian Workers
Key Research Focal Points
- Five waves of longitudinal data with research firm Malatest.
- Follow-ups every two years through 2019.
- Emphasis on the work-family interface and after-hours work contact.
- Tracks multitasking and work-life culture.
AM-WSH
American Work, Stress, and Health Study
In 2005, Professor Schieman fielded a nationally representative sample of 1,800 working American adults and followed up two years later. One objective was to document the emotional effects of work stress, especially interpersonal conflict in the workplace.
Methodology
Baseline + Follow-up Panel
Sample Scope
1,800 American Adults
Key Research Focal Points
- Baseline survey in 2005 with two-year follow-up.
- Documents emotional effects of work stress.
- Special focus on interpersonal conflict in the workplace.
- Pioneered research on workplace authority and after-hours contact.