Understanding equity in work through job quality: A comparative analysis between disabled and non-disabled graduates using a new composite indicator

This paper compares the job quality of disabled and non-disabled graduates. Equity in work is measured based on not only whether a graduate has a job but also whether he/she has a good job. The Italian law favours disabled people by often providing them a job; however, the quality of the job is not considered. In this study, job quality is measured using a composite indicator (CI) comprising three dimensions: economic, professional and work-life balance. The proposal of the CI structure is original because the variables that compose the indicator can be quantitative, ordinal or dichotomous. The results of our study show that there is no difference in the job quality of disabled and non-disabled graduates; however, there are differences within the two groups in terms of the greatest dimension of the CI: economic dimension for the disabled group and professional dimension for the non-disabled group. Disabled people have the guarantee of a stable contract; however, their jobs are not consistent with their educational qualifications.