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Missing work: absenteeism at Pepperell Manufacturing Co. in 1883

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  • Joyce Burnette

    (Department of Economics, Wabash College, Crawfordsville, IN, USA)

Abstract

While factories are usually thought to have disciplined workers, I find that absence rates at a US textile factory in 1883 were fairly high—9% if breaks up to 4 weeks are considered absences. Women’s absence rates were about 50% higher than those of men. While I find only weak support for economic motives, I find strong support for leisure-related motives for absences. Absences were high near weekends and holidays, and for special events, and absences were less likely when it rained. When studying how much people worked, we should not assume that days worked by employees matched days of operation for the employer.

Suggested Citation

  • Joyce Burnette, 2021. "Missing work: absenteeism at Pepperell Manufacturing Co. in 1883," Cliometrica, Journal of Historical Economics and Econometric History, Association Française de Cliométrie (AFC), vol. 15(3), pages 755-786, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:afc:cliome:v:15:y:2021:i:3:p:755-786
    DOI: 10.1007/s11698-020-00215-0
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    Keywords

    Work intensity · Textile factory · Absence · Weavers · Absenteeism · Days of work;

    JEL classification:

    • J22 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Time Allocation and Labor Supply
    • N31 - Economic History - - Labor and Consumers, Demography, Education, Health, Welfare, Income, Wealth, Religion, and Philanthropy - - - U.S.; Canada: Pre-1913

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