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Leave and Let Leave: Workplace Peer Effects in Fathers’ Take-up of Parental Leave

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  • Alessandra Casarico
  • Edoardo Di Porto
  • Joanna Kopinska
  • Salvatore Lattanzio

Abstract

Relying on a reform that increased parental leave generosity, we estimate workplace peer effects in the use of leave, with a focus on fathers. Coworker fathers are more likely to take parental leave when exposed to a higher share of peer fathers, who are exogenously affected by the reform. This effect is stronger in larger establishments, those with higher levels of social capital and higher use of parental leave before the reform. We also document that own-gender peer effects are larger than cross-gender influences, and show the absence of career costs for fathers exposed to the reform, which provides an explanation for our findings. Peer effects extend to coworker fathers' partners, who experience an increase in earnings and labor supply. Peer effects are observed also for mothers, but the response of their partners is less pronounced.

Suggested Citation

  • Alessandra Casarico & Edoardo Di Porto & Joanna Kopinska & Salvatore Lattanzio, 2025. "Leave and Let Leave: Workplace Peer Effects in Fathers’ Take-up of Parental Leave," CESifo Working Paper Series 11795, CESifo.
  • Handle: RePEc:ces:ceswps:_11795
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J18 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Public Policy
    • K31 - Law and Economics - - Other Substantive Areas of Law - - - Labor Law
    • M52 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Personnel Economics - - - Compensation and Compensation Methods and Their Effects

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