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Unemployment, Sick Leave and Health

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  • Schön, Matthias

Abstract

This paper studies the relationship between sick leave, income and unemployment. In particular, it investigates this relationship under the generous German sick leave regulation of 100\% wage replacement, i.e., in an environment where workers do not bear any direct costs from missing work due to sickness. Using information from the German Socioeconomic Panel (GSOEP) I identify three stylized facts of sick leave in Germany. First, sick days show a strong pro-cyclical pattern. Second, average use of sick days is hump-shaped over income quintiles. Third, the number of sick days is a strong predictor of becoming unemployed. Using this micro-evidence I develop a structural model that rationalizes these facts. I argue that in absence of direct costs of sick leave the fear of future unemployment is the main driving force restraining sick leave. I then use the model to do counterfactual policy analysis.

Suggested Citation

  • Schön, Matthias, 2015. "Unemployment, Sick Leave and Health," VfS Annual Conference 2015 (Muenster): Economic Development - Theory and Policy 113013, Verein für Socialpolitik / German Economic Association.
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:vfsc15:113013
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    Cited by:

    1. Maarten Dossche & Andrea Gavazzi & Vivien Lewis, 2023. "Labor Adjustment and Productivity in the OECD," Review of Economic Dynamics, Elsevier for the Society for Economic Dynamics, vol. 47, pages 111-130, January.
    2. Maarten Dossche & Andrea Gavazzi & Vivien Lewis, 2023. "Labor Adjustment and Productivity in the OECD," Review of Economic Dynamics, Elsevier for the Society for Economic Dynamics, vol. 47, pages 111-130, January.
    3. Pichler, Stefan & Ziebarth, Nicolas R., 2017. "The pros and cons of sick pay schemes: Testing for contagious presenteeism and noncontagious absenteeism behavior," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 156(C), pages 14-33.
    4. Pichler, Stefan & Ziebarth, Nicolas R., 2019. "Reprint of: The pros and cons of sick pay schemes: Testing for contagious presenteeism and noncontagious absenteeism behavior," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 171(C), pages 86-104.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • I14 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Inequality
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • J20 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - General

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