This presentation introduces the Sustainability of Livelihoods Index (SL-I). The SL-I
indicates through numerical values the sustainability of different livelihoods derived
through work. The presentation covers how the index was developed, the assessment
criteria making up the index, and concludes with application examples. Theoretically,
the SL-I is grounded in the Wheel of Work model, a theoretical classification of different
types of work. A diverse panel of Subject Matter Experts identified the ten most
common livelihood activities within each of the 13 collars in the Wheel of Work. The
index represents a sustainability rating for each of the resulting N = 130 most common
livelihoods. Sustainability, here, is considered along the triple bottom line of profit,
people and planet: A sustainable livelihood would thus addresses economic
requirements (e.g., adequate wages, working hours and conditions); (2) benefit society;
and (3) the biosphere, meaning the environment, land, sea and air. The rating is based
on ten criteria for each of the sustainability aspects (profit, people, planet) derived from
the applicable United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. In this way, the SL-I
aligns with international development policy. Per livelihood, the index generates
separate scores for each sustainability aspect and an overall sustainability score. The
sustainability ranking of livelihoods through different types of work which the index
enables holds benefit at multiple levels. For employers, it presents a tool to assess,
develop and track the sustainability of their corporate social resoponsibility efforts. It
can guide national and international policymakers and civil society to identify
sustainable and unustainable labour practices, advocate and develop intervention points.
At the individual level, it shifts the focus from identifying the best person-job fit to
identifying types of work which best align with a person's aspirations, and thus a new
way of thinking about careers and career theory.