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Mom's out: employment after childbirth and firm-level responses

Author

Listed:
  • Francesca Carta

    (Bank of Italy)

  • Alessandra Casarico

    (Bocconi University)

  • Marta De Philippis

    (Bank of Italy)

  • Salvatore Lattanzio

    (Bank of Italy)

Abstract

This paper explores how firms respond to women leaving work after childbirth. As a shifter in mothers' quits, we use a reform that extended the duration of the unemployment benefits for which Italian mothers are eligible if they resign within 12 months of giving birth. We find that, over a three-year term, mothers have higher quit and non-employment probabilities, whereas layoffs decrease slightly. Firms employing women who are more likely to leave work after childbirth display significantly higher net hiring and turnover rates, especially of young women. The growth in female hiring mainly involves temporary contracts, indicating potential statistical discrimination impacting job quality for women.

Suggested Citation

  • Francesca Carta & Alessandra Casarico & Marta De Philippis & Salvatore Lattanzio, 2024. "Mom's out: employment after childbirth and firm-level responses," Temi di discussione (Economic working papers) 1458, Bank of Italy, Economic Research and International Relations Area.
    • Handle: RePEc:bdi:wptemi:td_1458_24
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    quits; hirings; separations; unemployment benefits; statistical discrimination; child penalty;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J23 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Demand
    • J21 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Force and Employment, Size, and Structure
    • J38 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Public Policy
    • J65 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Unemployment Insurance; Severance Pay; Plant Closings

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