Exploring the Validity of the Work Preferences Questionnaire: A First Look

This study aimed was to develop and validate a new instrument called the Work Preferences Questionnaire (WPQ) to measure individuals’ preferences for work characteristics that are relevant to today’s work environment. A multi-step approach and two samples were used to develop and validate the WPQ across various industries. In the first study, a group of experts developed a bank of items that were then administered to 984 workers. Exploratory factor analysis revealed a nine-factor structure with good internal consistency. In the second study, an independent sample of 687 workers was used to confirm the factorial structure and highlight the distinctness of the work preference dimensions. The study found small mean differences in interindividual preference scores based on age and confirmed data equivalence between gender and education level. The WPQ addresses limitations of existing measures by focusing on a narrow set of work preferences that are highly relevant in the current work environment and includes modern aspects such as teleworking and work-life balance. The WPQ promises to be an effective tool for research and human resources practices, enabling individuals and organizations to better understand work preferences and make informed decisions about work design and personnel selection.