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

Author

Listed:
  • Bellemare, Charles

    (Université Laval)

  • Goussé, Marion

    (Université Laval)

  • 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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    References listed on IDEAS

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    11. Eva DEUCHERT & Lukas KAUER, 2017. "Hiring subsidies for people with a disability: Evidence from a small-scale social field experiment," International Labour Review, International Labour Organization, vol. 156(2), pages 269-285, June.
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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. Louise Philomene Mbaye, 2018. "Handicap et discriminations dans l'accès à l'emploi : un testing dans les établissements culturels," Working Papers halshs-01878461, HAL.
    3. 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.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    partial identification; disabilities; discrimination;
    All these keywords.

    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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