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No Pain, No Gain: Work Demand, Work Effort, and Worker Health

Author

Listed:
  • David Hummels

    (Purdue University and NBER)

  • Jakob R. Munch

    (University of Copenhagen and IZA)

  • Chong Xiang

    (Purdue University)

Abstract

We employ Danish worker-firm data to study the effect of rising workload on health. Using both within-job-spell regression analyses and cohort event studies, we show that increases in firm sales lead workers to log longer hours and experience higher probabilities of stress, depression, heart disease, and strokes, with more pronounced effects for high-risk groups such as older workers, job-strained workers, and those with long initial work hours. We calculate that the average worker's ex ante welfare loss due to higher sickness rates accounts for nearly one-quarter of her earnings gains from rising firm sales.

Suggested Citation

  • David Hummels & Jakob R. Munch & Chong Xiang, 2025. "No Pain, No Gain: Work Demand, Work Effort, and Worker Health," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 107(4), pages 898-913, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:tpr:restat:v:107:y:2025:i:4:p:898-913
    DOI: 10.1162/rest_a_01335
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    Cited by:

    1. is not listed on IDEAS
    2. Gihleb, Rania & Giuntella, Osea & Stella, Luca & Wang, Tianyi, 2022. "Industrial robots, Workers’ safety, and health," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 78(C).
    3. Jérôme Adda & Yarine Fawaz, 2020. "The Health Toll of Import Competition," The Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 130(630), pages 1501-1540.
    4. Giuntella, Osea & Rieger, Matthias & Rotunno, Lorenzo, 2020. "Weight gains from trade in foods: Evidence from Mexico," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 122(C).
    5. Teresa Molina & Mari Tanaka, 2023. "Globalization and Female Empowerment: Evidence from Myanmar," Economic Development and Cultural Change, University of Chicago Press, vol. 71(2), pages 519-565.
    6. Barbara Dluhosch & Daniel Horgos, 2019. "International Competition Intensified: Job Satisfaction Sacrificed?," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 143(2), pages 479-504, June.
    7. Mari Tanaka, 2020. "Exporting Sweatshops? Evidence from Myanmar," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 102(3), pages 442-456, July.
    8. Colantone, Italo & Crinò, Rosario & Ogliari, Laura, 2019. "Globalization and mental distress," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 119(C), pages 181-207.
    9. Feng, Jin & Xie, Qiang & Zhang, Xiaohan, 2021. "Trade liberalization and the health of working-age adults: Evidence from China," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 139(C).
    10. repec:ags:aaea22:335460 is not listed on IDEAS
    11. Fan, Haichao & Lin, Faqin & Lin, Shu, 2020. "The hidden cost of trade liberalization: Input tariff shocks and worker health in China," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 126(C).
    12. Diaz Gutierrez, Julian, 2023. "Trade Effects on Substance Abuse: Evidence from Colombia's Liberalization," 2023 Annual Meeting, July 23-25, Washington D.C. 335460, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • F1 - International Economics - - Trade
    • F6 - International Economics - - Economic Impacts of Globalization
    • I1 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health
    • J2 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor
    • J3 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs

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