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The Effects of UI Caseworkers on Job Search Effort

Author

Listed:
  • Amelie Schiprowski
  • Julia Schmidtke
  • Johannes Schmieder
  • Simon Trenkle

Abstract

We combine a high-frequency survey on job search effort with administrative data on caseworker interactions from the German unemployment insurance system to estimate how the dynamics of search effort respond to caseworker meetings and vacancy referrals. Meetings alone do not increase individuals’ time on search beyond a mechanical meeting-day effect; however, we find suggestive evidence that they do when combined with a formal contract on job search obligations. Referrals lead to a modest increase in effort over the three weeks following the event. Our findings leave room for caseworkers affecting employment outcomes through other channels, e.g. by altering search effectiveness.

Suggested Citation

  • Amelie Schiprowski & Julia Schmidtke & Johannes Schmieder & Simon Trenkle, 2024. "The Effects of UI Caseworkers on Job Search Effort," CRC TR 224 Discussion Paper Series crctr224_2024_497, University of Bonn and University of Mannheim, Germany.
    • Handle: RePEc:bon:boncrc:crctr224_2024_497
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. David Card & Jochen Kluve & Andrea Weber, 2018. "What Works? A Meta Analysis of Recent Active Labor Market Program Evaluations," Journal of the European Economic Association, European Economic Association, vol. 16(3), pages 894-931.
    2. Schmieder, Johannes F & Trenkle, Simon, 2020. "Disincentive effects of unemployment benefits and the role of caseworkers," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 182(C).
    3. Lichter, Andreas & Schiprowski, Amelie, 2021. "Benefit duration, job search behavior and re-employment," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 193(C).
    4. Ioana Marinescu & Daphné Skandalis, 2021. "Unemployment Insurance and Job Search Behavior," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 136(2), pages 887-931.
    5. Peter Dolton & Donal O'Neill, 2002. "The Long-Run Effects of Unemployment Monitoring and Work-Search Programs: Experimental Evidence from the United Kingdom," Journal of Labor Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 20(2), pages 381-403, Part.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Unemployment insurance; caseworkers; job search;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J64 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Unemployment: Models, Duration, Incidence, and Job Search
    • J65 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Unemployment Insurance; Severance Pay; Plant Closings
    • J68 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Public Policy

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