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What if your boss is a woman? Evidence on gender discrimination at the workplace

Author

Listed:
  • Claudio Lucifora

    (Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, IZA and CNEL)

  • Daria Vigani

    (Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore)

Abstract

In this paper, we exploit rich cross-country survey data covering 15 European countries over the period 2000–2015 to investigate the relationship between the gender of the immediate supervisor (i.e. having a male or a female “boss”) and perceived gender discrimination at the workplace. We show that a female boss is associated with reduced gender discrimination, with positive spillovers mainly on female subordinates, in jobs where female presence is also higher and where work organization is more complex. The presence of more flexible work schedules and a better balance between work and life, further contributes to reinforce the mitigating effect of female leadership on discrimination. Results are shown to be consistent with available evidence on gender differentials in pay and career advancement, as well as being robust to a number of sensitivity checks.

Suggested Citation

  • Claudio Lucifora & Daria Vigani, 2022. "What if your boss is a woman? Evidence on gender discrimination at the workplace," Review of Economics of the Household, Springer, vol. 20(2), pages 389-417, June.
  • Handle: RePEc:kap:reveho:v:20:y:2022:i:2:d:10.1007_s11150-021-09562-x
    DOI: 10.1007/s11150-021-09562-x
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