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Is there a rationale to contact the unemployed right from the start? Evidence from a natural field experiment

Author

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  • van Landeghem, Bert

    (RS: GSBE DUHR)

  • Cörvers, Frank

    (ROA / Human capital in the region, RS: GSBE DUHR, RS: SBE - MACIMIDE)

  • de Grip, Andries

    (Research Centre for Educ and Labour Mark, RS: GSBE DUHR)

Abstract

Active Labour Market Policies (ALMPs) often exclusively target towards the long-term unemployed. Although it might be more efficient to intervene earlier in order to prevent long-term unemployment rather than to cure it, the climate of austerity in Eurozone countries is spreading a tendency to further reduce the basic counselling for those who become unemployed. This study investigates the impact on employment chances of a relatively light and inexpensive intervention. In a field experiment in a public employment office in Flanders, a random selection of clients were invited for a mandatory information session in the first month of the unemployment spell, while the control group were invited after four months of unemployment. Although the average intention-to-treat effect we find is not significant, the early intervention appears to be very beneficial for those with low education.

Suggested Citation

  • van Landeghem, Bert & Cörvers, Frank & de Grip, Andries, 2016. "Is there a rationale to contact the unemployed right from the start? Evidence from a natural field experiment," ROA Research Memorandum 011, Maastricht University, Research Centre for Education and the Labour Market (ROA).
    • Handle: RePEc:unm:umaror:2016011
    DOI: 10.26481/umaror.2016011
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    Cited by:

    1. Barbara Broadway & Sonja C. Kassenboehmer, 2019. "Employment effects of job counseling for disability insurance recipients," Melbourne Institute Working Paper Series wp2019n18, Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, The University of Melbourne.
    2. Gergely Horvath, 2022. "Alleviating behavioral biases at job search: Do nudges work?," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 17(4), pages 1-20, April.
    3. Amelie Schiprowski, 2020. "The Role of Caseworkers in Unemployment Insurance: Evidence from Unplanned Absences," Journal of Labor Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 38(4), pages 1189-1225.
    4. Muriel Dejemeppe & Daniel Dumont & Marc Zune, 2016. "Avis sur l’évaluation de la mise en œuvre du contrat de gestion de Bruxelles Formation 2012-2016 et recommandations en vue de l’élaboration du contrat de gestion 2017-2021," ULB Institutional Repository 2013/266352, ULB -- Universite Libre de Bruxelles.
    5. Dohmen, Thomas & van Landeghem, Bert, 2019. "Numeracy and Unemployment Duration," IZA Discussion Papers 12531, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    6. Ulrike Huemer & Rainer Eppel & Marion Kogler & Helmut Mahringer & Lukas Schmoigl & David Pichler, 2021. "Effektivität von Instrumenten der aktiven Arbeitsmarktpolitik in unterschiedlichen Konjunkturphasen," WIFO Studies, WIFO, number 67250.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D04 - Microeconomics - - General - - - Microeconomic Policy: Formulation; Implementation; Evaluation
    • D61 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Allocative Efficiency; Cost-Benefit Analysis
    • J64 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Unemployment: Models, Duration, Incidence, and Job Search
    • J68 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Public Policy

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