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Overtime Working and Contract Efficiency

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  • Hart, Robert A
  • Ma, Yue

Abstract

We present a wage-hours contract designed to minimize costly turnover given investments in specific training combined with firm and worker information asymmetries. It may be optimal for the parties to work ‘long hours’ remunerated at premium rates for guaranteed overtime hours. Based on British plant and machine operatives, we test three predictions. First, trained workers with longer tenure are more likely to work overtime. Second, hourly overtime pay exceeds the value of marginal product while the basic hourly wage is less than the value of marginal product. Third, the basic hourly wage is negatively related to the overtime premium.

Suggested Citation

  • Hart, Robert A & Ma, Yue, 2013. "Overtime Working and Contract Efficiency," SIRE Discussion Papers 2013-121, Scottish Institute for Research in Economics (SIRE).
    • Handle: RePEc:edn:sirdps:568
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10943/568
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Chen, Jingxian & Liang, Liang & Yang, Feng, 2015. "Cooperative quality investment in outsourcing," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 162(C), pages 174-191.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Paid overtime; wage-hours contract; plant and machine operatives;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J41 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Particular Labor Markets - - - Labor Contracts
    • J33 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Compensation Packages; Payment Methods

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