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Workplace Presenteeism, Job Substitutability, and Gender Inequality

Author

Listed:
  • Ghazala Azmat
  • Lena Hensvik
  • Olof Rosenqvist

Abstract

This work explores how the parenthood wage penalty is partially explained by an increased within-couple gap in job uniqueness (that is, the within-establishment substitutability of workers). Uniqueness is rewarded with higher wages, but it requires worker presenteeism (that is, the lack of unpredictable work absences), which entails a higher cost of childbearing. Using a within-couple event study approach, we show that after the arrival of the first child, women take more days of absence than men, and their likelihood of holding jobs with low substitutability decreases. We find that 15 years after childbearing, the male–female gender gap in holding a (higher-paying) unique job increases by six percentage points. The results suggest that structural changes towards greater work flexibility, making it less costly for workers in unique jobs to not be present, can help to reduce the parenthood wage penalty.

Suggested Citation

  • Ghazala Azmat & Lena Hensvik & Olof Rosenqvist, 2025. "Workplace Presenteeism, Job Substitutability, and Gender Inequality," Journal of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 60(4), pages 1435-1457.
    • Handle: RePEc:uwp:jhriss:v:60:y:2025:i:4:p:1435-1457
    Note: DOI: https://doi.org/10.3368/jhr.1121-12014R2
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J22 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Time Allocation and Labor Supply

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