A report from the CIBC says the quality of jobs in Canada worsened last year as more people turned to lower paying positions or became self employed.

The bank's employment quality index found that jobs growth was also heavily weighted in the first half of 2011, with nearly all falling within the first six months of the year.

The report also found that real disposable income was unchanged in the first three quarters of 2011, which makes it the worst showing in 15 years.

Jobs rebound

The bank says despite the weakness its employment index remains "well above" recessionary levels.

Still, it says the index has slipped more than a full percentage point in the past year.

CIBC takes into account numerous factors when determining employment quality, including the distribution of jobs between full- and part-time positions, wages, and the number of paid employment versus self-employed positions.