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Physical Disability and Labor Market Discrimination: Evidence from a Field Experiment

Author

Listed:
  • Bellemare, Charles

    (Université Laval)

  • Goussé, Marion

    (CREST)

  • Lacroix, Guy

    (Université Laval)

  • Marchand, Steeve

    (Université Laval)

Abstract

We investigate the determinants and extent of labor market discrimination toward people with physical disabilities using a large scale field experiment. Applications were randomly sent to 1477 private firms advertising open positions. We find that average callback rates of disabled and non-disabled applicants are respectively 14.4% and 7.2%. We find this differential does not result from accessibility constraints related to firm infrastructures. We also find that mentioning eligibility to a government subsidy to cover the cost of workplace adaptation does not increase callback rates. Finally, we estimate that a lower bound of the proportion of discriminating firms is 49.7%.

Suggested Citation

  • Bellemare, Charles & Goussé, Marion & Lacroix, Guy & Marchand, Steeve, 2018. "Physical Disability and Labor Market Discrimination: Evidence from a Field Experiment," IZA Discussion Papers 11461, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp11461
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    Cited by:

    1. Asya Bellia, 2021. "How do different policy combinations affect the labour market attachment of disabled individuals? A review of the literatur," Discussion Papers 2021/283, Dipartimento di Economia e Management (DEM), University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
    2. Morley Gunderson & Byron Lee & Guenther Lomas, 2022. "The importance of prejudice against persons with disabilities," Canadian Journal of Economics/Revue canadienne d'économique, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 55(1), pages 138-155, February.
    3. Bjørnshagen, Vegar & Rooth, Dan-Olof & Ugreninov, Elisabeth, 2023. "Disability, Gender and Hiring Discrimination: A Field Experiment," IZA Discussion Papers 16217, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    4. Carroll, Eamonn & Timmons, Shane & McGinnity, Frances, 2023. "Experimental tests of public support for disability policy," Research Series, Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI), number RS159.
    5. Antinyan, Armenak & Burn, Ian & Jones, Melanie K., 2024. "Productivity Signals and Disability-Related Hiring Discrimination: Evidence from a Field Experiment," IZA Discussion Papers 17290, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    6. Louise Philomene Mbaye, 2018. "Handicap et discriminations dans l'accès à l'emploi : un testing dans les établissements culturels," Working Papers halshs-01878461, HAL.
    7. Louise Philomène Mbaye, 2018. "Handicap et discriminations dans l’accès à l’emploi : un testing dans les établissements culturels," TEPP Research Report 2018-04, TEPP.
    8. Sylvain Chareyron & Yannick L'Horty & Philom ne Mbaye & Pascale Petit, 2022. "Impacts of quota policy and employer obligation to adapt workstations on discrimination against people with disabilities: Lessons from an experiment," TEPP Working Paper 2022-17, TEPP.

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • J71 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor Discrimination - - - Hiring and Firing
    • J68 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Public Policy

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