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Employers’ Discrimination against Fathers and Mothers Taking Parental Leave: Evidence from a Choice Experiment

Author

Listed:
  • Ewa Cukrowska-Torzewska

    (Interdisciplinary Centre for Labour Market and Family Dynamics (LabFam), Faculty of Economic Sciences, University of Warsaw)

  • Anna Matysiak

    (Interdisciplinary Centre for Labour Market and Family Dynamics (LabFam), Faculty of Economic Sciences, University of Warsaw)

  • Agnieszka Kasperska

    (Interdisciplinary Centre for Labour Market and Family Dynamics (LabFam), Faculty of Economic Sciences, University of Warsaw)

  • Gayle Kaufman

    (Davidson College)

Abstract

This study provides causal evidence on the hiring and pay penalties associated with taking parental leave of varying lengths. We investigate how deviations from prevailing social norms, in the form of non-standard leave-taking behavior by mothers and fathers, affect their employment outcomes. We also compare the parental leave penalties with those linked to unemployment to disentangle the determinants of these penalties and to identify the mechanisms through which they operate. To this end, we conducted a discrete choice experiment with 997 managers, who evaluated hypothetical job candidates differing in the length of employment interruptions due to parental leave. Using a conditional logit model, we find that both mothers and fathers face disadvantages in hiring and remuneration when taking longer parental leave. Notably, fathers are penalized for taking any parental leave, though the penalties are more severe for longer leave. These poorer employability prospects stem from managers perceiving such fathers as less available for work. Meanwhile, mothers receive hiring and pay bonuses for taking shorter leaves, stemming from employer perceptions of such mothers as more available, competent, and motivated.

Suggested Citation

  • Ewa Cukrowska-Torzewska & Anna Matysiak & Agnieszka Kasperska & Gayle Kaufman, 2025. "Employers’ Discrimination against Fathers and Mothers Taking Parental Leave: Evidence from a Choice Experiment," Working Papers 2025-27, Faculty of Economic Sciences, University of Warsaw.
    • Handle: RePEc:war:wpaper:2025-27
    as

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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Jasmine Kelland & Duncan Lewis & Virginia Fisher, 2022. "“Viewed with suspicion, considered idle and mocked‐working caregiving fathers and fatherhood forfeits”," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(5), pages 1578-1593, September.
    2. Mette Ejrnæs & Astrid Kunze, 2013. "Work and Wage Dynamics around Childbirth," Scandinavian Journal of Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 115(3), pages 856-877, July.
    3. Mari Rege & Ingeborg Solli, 2013. "The Impact of Paternity Leave on Fathers’ Future Earnings," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 50(6), pages 2255-2277, December.
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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
    • J22 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Time Allocation and Labor Supply
    • J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials

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