Job quality is the precondition for achieving welfare policy goals of social inclusion, as well as the foundation of functioning social security systems. In recent decades, both the academic and institutional literature has emphasisedits importance, yet both European Union (EU) and national employment policies continue to address the quantity rather than the quality of jobs.This article explores the reasons for which job quality and related concepts have been side-tracked in the current EU employment and social policy process. Our analysis attempts to generate clearer parameters for understanding and measuring what constitutes a good quality job,so that such measurements can effectively guide policy formulation and comparative analysis. We argue that what is needed for placing concerns about job quality high on the EU policy agenda is methodological, conceptual and theoretical clarity in defining what job quality is and from whose perspective it should be assessed.