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Gender Gaps in the Valuation of Working Conditions

Author

Listed:
  • Marta Curull-Sentís
  • Lídia Farré
  • Libertad González
  • Laia Maynou

Abstract

We conduct a survey experiment to examine gender differences in preferences for job attributes, including flexibility, commuting distance, and workplace climate. Both men and women are willing to trade 20–30% of their current wage to avoid inflexible jobs and long commutes. However, a notable gender difference emerges in the willingness-to-pay (WTP) to avoid sexual harassment. Women are willing to trade 50% of their wage for a secure workplace, 14 percentage points more than men. Among recent female victims, this aversion increases to 87%. These findings under-score the detrimental impact of sexual harassment on gender equality and talent allocation in the labor market.

Suggested Citation

  • Marta Curull-Sentís & Lídia Farré & Libertad González & Laia Maynou, 2025. "Gender Gaps in the Valuation of Working Conditions," Working Papers 1500, Barcelona School of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:bge:wpaper:1500
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. repec:oup:qjecon:v:136:y:2021:i:1:p:381-426. is not listed on IDEAS
    2. Claudia Goldin & Lawrence F. Katz, 2016. "A Most Egalitarian Profession: Pharmacy and the Evolution of a Family-Friendly Occupation," Journal of Labor Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 34(3), pages 705-746.
    3. Andrés Erosa & Luisa Fuster & Gueorgui Kambourov & Richard Rogerson, 2022. "Hours, Occupations, and Gender Differences in Labor Market Outcomes," American Economic Journal: Macroeconomics, American Economic Association, vol. 14(3), pages 543-590, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Banerjee, Rakesh & Bharati, Tushar & Fakir, Adnan M.S. & Qian, Yiwei & Sunder, Naveen, 2025. "Gender differences in preferences for flexible work hours: Experimental evidence from an online freelancing platform," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 97(C).
    2. El Haj, Morien & Moens, Eline & Verhofstadt, Elsy & Van Ootegem, Luc & Baert, Stijn, 2026. "How Job Attractiveness Is Shaped by Employer-Provided Childcare Arrangements," IZA Discussion Papers 18430, IZA Network @ LISER.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials
    • J28 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Safety; Job Satisfaction; Related Public Policy
    • J81 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor Standards - - - Working Conditions
    • C93 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Field Experiments

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