Flexible contracts and subjective well-being

Publication type

Journal Article

Authors

Publication date

June 1, 2010

Abstract:

Theory suggests that when workers choose between permanent and flexible contracts, their utility should tend to equalize across contract types. New estimates of job satisfaction show the critical role played by unmeasured worker heterogeneity. They reveal that flexible contracts are a strong negative determinant of satisfaction with job security but are often a positive determinant of other dimensions of job satisfaction. As a consequence, flexible contracts have either a weak negative influence or no influence on overall job satisfaction. Moreover, flexible contracts generally have no impact on overall life satisfaction of the employed. These results appear broadly consistent with the presence of equalizing differences.

Published in

Economic Inquiry

DOI

http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1465-7295.2010.00291.x

Subjects

Notes

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