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Worktime Regulations and Spousal Labor Supply

Author

Listed:
  • Dominique Goux

    (CREST)

  • Eric Maurin

    (Paris School of Economics)

  • Barbara Petrongolo

    (Queen Mary, University of London)

Abstract

We study interdependencies in spousal labor supply by exploiting the design of the French workweek reduction, which introduced exogenous variation in one's spouse's labor supply, at constant earnings. Treated employees work on average two hours less per week. Husbands of treated women respond by reducing their labor supply by about half an hour, consistent with substantial leisure complementarity, and specifically cut the non-usual component of their workweek, leaving usual hours unchanged. Women's response to their husband's treatment is instead weak and rarely statistically significant, possibly due to heavier constraints in the organization of their workweek.

Suggested Citation

  • Dominique Goux & Eric Maurin & Barbara Petrongolo, 2013. "Worktime Regulations and Spousal Labor Supply," Working Papers 709, Queen Mary University of London, School of Economics and Finance.
    • Handle: RePEc:qmw:qmwecw:709
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Labour supply; Workweek reduction; Leisure complementarity;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J22 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Time Allocation and Labor Supply

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