The Effect of Gender Discrimination on Labor Supply

Nickolas Gagnon, Kristof Bosmans, Arno Riedl

Research output: Working paper / PreprintDiscussion paper

Abstract

We conduct experiments on an online platform to investigate the causal effect of gender discrimination on labor supply decisions. Controlling for the piece-rate wage, workers who face negative gender-discriminatory wage inequality supply substantially less labor compared to workers who face gender-neutral wage inequality (−0.16 standard deviations) and compared to workers with equal wages (−0.21 standard deviations). We also examine the effect of positive discrimination, differences between men and women, and the role of beliefs about facing discrimination. Our results provide evidence for decreased labor supply in reaction to discrimination being a novel mechanism contributing to the gender gap in earnings.
Original languageEnglish
PublisherSSRN
Number of pages66
Publication statusPublished - 2022

Publication series

SeriesSSRN Working papers
Number3519540

JEL classifications

  • d90 - Intertemporal Choice and Growth: General
  • e24 - "Employment; Unemployment; Wages; Intergenerational Income Distribution; Aggregate Human Capital"
  • j22 - Time Allocation and Labor Supply
  • j31 - "Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials"
  • j71 - Labor Discrimination
  • m50 - Personnel Economics: General

Keywords

  • gender discrimination
  • labor supply
  • workplace inequality

Cite this