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Job tenure and unskilled workers before the Industrial Revolution: St Paul’s Cathedral 1672-1748

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  • Paker, Meredith
  • Stephenson, Judy
  • Wallis, Patrick

Abstract

How were unskilled workers selected and hired in preindustrial labor markets? We exploit records from the rebuilding of St Paul’s Cathedral, London (1672–1748), to analyze the hiring and employment histories of over 1,000 general building laborers, the benchmark category of “unskilled” workers in long-run wage series. Despite volatile demand, St Paul’s created a stable workforce by rewarding the tenure of long-standing workers. More senior workers received more days of work each month, preference when jobs were scarce, and the opportunity to earn additional income. We find the cathedral’s strategy consistent with reducing hiring frictions and turnover costs.

Suggested Citation

  • Paker, Meredith & Stephenson, Judy & Wallis, Patrick, 2023. "Job tenure and unskilled workers before the Industrial Revolution: St Paul’s Cathedral 1672-1748," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 117264, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    • Handle: RePEc:ehl:lserod:117264
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    JEL classification:

    • J23 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Demand
    • N33 - Economic History - - Labor and Consumers, Demography, Education, Health, Welfare, Income, Wealth, Religion, and Philanthropy - - - Europe: Pre-1913
    • J22 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Time Allocation and Labor Supply
    • J21 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Force and Employment, Size, and Structure
    • N63 - Economic History - - Manufacturing and Construction - - - Europe: Pre-1913

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