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Unequal Gains from Remote Work during COVID-19 between Spouses: Evidence from Longitudinal Data in Singapore

Author

Listed:
  • Lee, Zeewan
  • Tan, Poh Lin
  • Tan-Soo, Jie-Sheng

Abstract

The rise of remote work arrangements under the COVID-19 pandemic has generated important benefits, enhancing worker productivity by providing flexibility and reducing commuting costs. Would such positive labor market outcomes enjoyed equally between spouses? Using a longitudinal dataset of married women and their spouses before, during and after the lockdown in Singapore, we examine the effect of the pandemic and the availability of remote work on the respondents’ salary income, while accounting for the moderating roles of gendered differences in time use (e.g., in childcare) and presence of helpers. We find a significant salary income growth among male remote workers, but not among females. While both male and female remote workers experienced an increase in income if they spent less time on household work, women were less likely to face such smaller household responsibilities than men. This study provides empirical evidence that unequal division of household labor leads to unequal gains from remote work.

Suggested Citation

  • Lee, Zeewan & Tan, Poh Lin & Tan-Soo, Jie-Sheng, 2023. "Unequal Gains from Remote Work during COVID-19 between Spouses: Evidence from Longitudinal Data in Singapore," EconStor Preprints 270941, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:esprep:270941
    Note: Unequal gains from teleworking during COVID-19 - this project was supported by funding from the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore [R-603-000-347-115; A-0003976-00-00; R-603-000-237-133]
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    gender; income; COVID-19; remote work; flexible work; time use;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity

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