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The Impact of Overtime Limits on Firms and Workers: Evidence from Japan's Work Style Reform

Author

Listed:
  • Burdin, Gabriel

    (University of Siena)

  • Kambayashi, Ryo

    (Musashi University)

  • Kato, Takao

    (Colgate University)

Abstract

This study provides the first analysis of Japan's 2018 Work Style Reform (WSR) and its effects on firms and workers, using payroll and survey data in a difference-in-difference design. We find that the reform's introduction of an overtime cap reduces average monthly overtime hours by 5 hours (-25%) and compresses the distribution of overtime within establishments. Total earnings decrease by 2% due to reduced overtime pay, while hourly wages remain unchanged. Notably, the reform improves life and leisure satisfaction, but these well-being gains are observed only among women. This gender difference is not explained by variations in perceived work intensification or time use. Instead, we find evidence that men (but not women) substitute paid overtime for unpaid overtime, which is consistent with the lack of well-being gains for men. Finally, we document that the reform leads to women taking more career jobs (standard employment) relative to non-career jobs (nonstandard employment) as compared to their male counterparts, highlighting the potential of working-hour regulations to promote gender equality in the labor market.

Suggested Citation

  • Burdin, Gabriel & Kambayashi, Ryo & Kato, Takao, 2024. "The Impact of Overtime Limits on Firms and Workers: Evidence from Japan's Work Style Reform," IZA Discussion Papers 17583, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp17583
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    working time regulations; overtime; wages; employment; subjective well-being; gender; Japan; work style reform;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J22 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Time Allocation and Labor Supply
    • J23 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Demand
    • J41 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Particular Labor Markets - - - Labor Contracts

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