Does the Added Worker Effect Matter?
33 Pages Posted: 29 Jan 2020
There are 3 versions of this paper
Does the Added Worker Effect Matter?
Does the Added Worker Effect Matter?
Date Written: January 2020
Abstract
The added worker effect (AWE) measures the entry of individuals into the labor force due to their partners' job loss. We propose a new method to calculate the AWE, which allows us to estimate its effect on any labor market outcome. We show that without the AWE reduces the fraction of households with two non-employed members. The AWE also accounts for why women's employment is less cyclical and symmetric compared to men. In recessions, while some women lose their employment, others enter the labor market and find jobs. This keeps the female employment relatively stable.
Keywords: Cyclicality, female employment, Household Labor Supply, Intra-household Insurance, Skewness
JEL Classification: D1, E32, J21, J22
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation