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What is (behind) the gender gap in sickness benefits? Evidence from administrative data

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  • Gonçalves, Judite
  • Rocha-Gomes, João
  • Amorim-Lopes, Mário
  • Martins, Pedro S.

Abstract

Women appear to take sick leave at a higher rate and for longer periods than men. However, the reasons for these differences are poorly understood. This study starts by outlining several channels (biological, psychological, socio-economic, and occupational) that may drive this gender gap. We then analyse rich individual longitudinal administrative data on employment and sickness benefits. We consider the case of Portugal, where sickness benefits are relatively generous, in contrast to other potentially related social support (such as childcare). We find that women's adjusted monthly odds of receiving sickness benefits are 1.66 times those of men. This ratio falls to 1.37 when considering only hospitalisation-initiated sickness benefits, which may be driven exclusively by health factors. Overall, our results suggest that biological factors, as well as work-related hazards and stressors, play a large role in the gender gap in sickness benefits; yet behavioural and socioeconomic factors are non-negligible. For example, more women may use sickness benefits to accommodate caregiving responsibilities, and more men may forgo statutory sick leave to provide for their family. Our findings underscore the importance of more evidence for the enhancement of health and equity at work. Improved social and workplace policies to mitigate the double burden of work and family responsibilities, laying mostly on (poorer) women, may be needed, also to increase fair use of sickness benefits.

Suggested Citation

  • Gonçalves, Judite & Rocha-Gomes, João & Amorim-Lopes, Mário & Martins, Pedro S., 2024. "What is (behind) the gender gap in sickness benefits? Evidence from administrative data," GLO Discussion Paper Series 1468, Global Labor Organization (GLO).
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:glodps:1468
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Sick leave; Gender inequality; Hospitalisation; Diagnosis; Caregiving responsibilities;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • H55 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Social Security and Public Pensions
    • J28 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Safety; Job Satisfaction; Related Public Policy

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