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Adjusting Labor along the Intensive MarginS

Author

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  • Biddle, Jeff E.

    (University of Notre Dame)

  • Hamermesh, Daniel S.

    (University of Texas at Austin)

Abstract

We expand the analysis of cyclical changes in labor demand by decomposing changes along the intensive margin into those in days/week and in hours/day. Using large cross sections of U.S. data, 1985-2018, we observe around ¼ of the adjustment in weekly hours occurring through changing days/week. There is no adjustment of days/week in manufacturing; but 1/3 of the adjustment outside manufacturing occurs through days/week. The desirability of bunched leisure implies that secular shifts away from manufacturing have contributed to increasing economic welfare.

Suggested Citation

  • Biddle, Jeff E. & Hamermesh, Daniel S., 2024. "Adjusting Labor along the Intensive MarginS," IZA Discussion Papers 17162, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp17162
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    days; labor demand; work hours; recessions;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J23 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Demand
    • E24 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Employment; Unemployment; Wages; Intergenerational Income Distribution; Aggregate Human Capital; Aggregate Labor Productivity
    • J21 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Force and Employment, Size, and Structure

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