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Workers’ Perceptions of Earnings Growth and Employment Risk

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Abstract

In addition to realized earnings and employment shocks, forward-looking individuals are presumed to condition their consumption and labor supply decisions on their subjective beliefs about future labor market risks. This paper uses rich panel data to document considerable individual heterogeneity in earnings growth expectations and in the perceived likelihood of voluntary and involuntary job exits. We examine how expectations evolve over the working life and business cycle, and how they co-vary with macroeconomic expectations and personal experiences. While largely consistent with patterns in realized outcomes, our findings highlight the unanticipated nature of the pandemic recession and the ensuing resignation wave.

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  • Gizem Koşar & Wilbert Van der Klaauw, 2023. "Workers’ Perceptions of Earnings Growth and Employment Risk," Staff Reports 1056, Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
    • Handle: RePEc:fip:fednsr:95724
    Note: Revised February 2024.
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    2. Kathrin Ellieroth & Amanda M. Michaud, 2024. "Quits, Layoffs, and Labor Supply," Opportunity and Inclusive Growth Institute Working Papers 094, Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Labor-Market Uncertainty; expectations data; beliefs; household surveys;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C23 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Models with Panel Data; Spatio-temporal Models
    • D12 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Consumer Economics: Empirical Analysis
    • D81 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Criteria for Decision-Making under Risk and Uncertainty
    • D84 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Expectations; Speculations
    • J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials
    • J63 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Turnover; Vacancies; Layoffs

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