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Rest Assured. The Effects of Sleep on Labor Productivity

Author

Listed:
  • Bertoni, Marco

    (University of Padova)

  • Meli, Francesca

    (University of Padova)

  • Rocco, Lorenzo

    (University of Padova)

Abstract

We estimate the effect of sleep on labor productivity addressing the two main challenges in time use research: the unavoidable substitutions among activities implied by the time budget constraint and the endogeneity of the allocation of time. We use complete time diary data to identify the relative effect of sleep vs. non-work activities among employees working the same number of hours, and account for the endogeneity of time use choices by leveraging longitudinal information on productivity in a value-added specification. We show that, when work hours are held constant, substituting sleep with other non-work activities does not affect labor productivity.

Suggested Citation

  • Bertoni, Marco & Meli, Francesca & Rocco, Lorenzo, 2025. "Rest Assured. The Effects of Sleep on Labor Productivity," IZA Discussion Papers 17618, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp17618
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    sleep; time use; productivity;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J22 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Time Allocation and Labor Supply
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity

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