Understanding the relationship between job quality and general health in hospitality: Evidence from Australia

The hospitality industry often features poor job quality and elevated worker health risks, yet existing research inadequately addresses the relationship between multidimensional job quality and health outcomes. This study examines how various dimensions of job quality affect workers’ general health in the Australian hospitality sector, with particular attention to gender disparities. Drawing on survey data from 427 hospitality workers, we employ a comprehensive job quality framework encompassing six dimensions: Pay and Benefits, Intrinsic Characteristics of Work, Terms of Employment, Workplace Risk and Safety, Work-life Balance, and Voice and Representation. Our analysis reveals that Terms of Employment , Voice and Representation, and Pay and Benefits demonstrate significant positive associations with workers’ general health. Male workers report better general health than their female counterparts, even after controlling for job quality dimensions. These findings challenge the conventional focus on job insecurity and low pay as primary determinants of worker wellbeing in hospitality, highlighting the importance of worker voice and representation. Further investigation of gender differences reveals that whilst males experience more favourable conditions in job autonomy and task complexity, females report stronger workplace social support. Overall, the research carries significant theoretical and policy implications, suggesting that targeted interventions addressing gender-specific aspects of job quality, alongside broader improvements in job security, development opportunities, workplace representation and pay structures would benefit workers’ health outcomes. • Job quality affects workers’ general health in hospitality. • Terms of employment and voice and representation are most significant. • Male workers report better general health than females. • Males report greater job autonomy and task complexity. • Females report greater social support.