Agenda

Aukje Nieuwenhuis (University of Groningen) - The part-time trap: examining restrictions in women's labor supply decision

Abstract:

The Netherlands has the highest rate of female part-time employment among OECD countries, yet whether this reflects labor market constraints or individual preferences remains unclear. This study examines these two explanations for the persistent gender gap in working hours. We exploit a Dutch policy reform that granted employees the right to adjust their hours freely. A two-way fixed effects analysis using administrative data finds no change in working hours following the reform, suggesting either that hour constraints persist or that women were already working their preferred hours. To further investigate restrictions, we analyze survey data on working-hour mismatches (gaps between preferred and actual hours) and subsequent hour adjustments. Women seeking more hours adjust their actual hours toward preferred hours more successfully when changing jobs than when staying in the same job, indicating that within-job constraints limit opportunities to increase hours. In contrast, we find no evidence of enduring constraints for women preferring fewer hours, reflecting the widespread availability of part-time contracts. These findings highlight structural barriers for underemployed women and challenge the assumption that part-time work is purely a matter of choice.

The seminar is part of the Ca' Foscari-Groningen PhD Seminar Exchange Program

The seminar can be attended also remotely, connecting to ZOOM.

Link Zoom: bit.ly/insem-2425
ID riunione:  880 2639 9452
Passcode: InSem-2425