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Getting grey hairs in the labour market. An alternative experiment on age discrimination

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  • Baert, Stijn
  • Norga, Jennifer
  • Thuy, Yannick
  • Van Hecke, Marieke

Abstract

This study presents a new field experimental approach for measuring age discrimination in hiring. In addition to the classical approach in which candidates’ ages are randomly assigned within pairs of fictitious résumés that are sent to real vacancies, we randomly assign between these pairs the activities undertaken by the older candidates during their additional post-educational years. When applying this design to the case of Belgium, we find that age discrimination depends fundamentally on the older candidates’ career patterns. Older age only robustly affects call-back if the older candidate was employed in an out-of-field job during his or her extra post-educational years.

Suggested Citation

  • Baert, Stijn & Norga, Jennifer & Thuy, Yannick & Van Hecke, Marieke, 2016. "Getting grey hairs in the labour market. An alternative experiment on age discrimination," Journal of Economic Psychology, Elsevier, vol. 57(C), pages 86-101.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:joepsy:v:57:y:2016:i:c:p:86-101
    DOI: 10.1016/j.joep.2016.10.002
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    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Age discrimination; Design of experiments; Field experiments; Difference in Post-Educational Years Problem; Ageing; Hiring discrimination;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C90 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - General
    • C93 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Field Experiments
    • J14 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of the Elderly; Economics of the Handicapped; Non-Labor Market Discrimination
    • J71 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor Discrimination - - - Hiring and Firing

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