Gaps in the (paid) work hours of male and female heads of households: empirical evidence from Barbados

Purpose - This study investigates the magnitude and possible determinants of gaps in the (paid) working hours of male and female heads of households. Design/methodology/approach - The study utilises the Bauer and Sinning’s (2008) general decomposition method to examine the differences in work hours among male and female heads of households using data from the 2014 Barbados labour force survey. Findings - Our estimates suggest that the employment hours of female heads of households is 3.6% less than that of their male equivalents, which translates to an annual hour differential of roughly 68 to 71 employment hours. Originality/value - To date, very little is known about the disparity in the paid work hours of male and female heads of households. This study attempts to fill this gap in the literature. Moreover, by focussing on Barbados, this paper adds to the sparse body of work on sex-based inequalities in developing countries, particularly those in the Caribbean.