RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Labor Market Effects of U.S. Sick Pay Mandates
JF Journal of Human Resources
JO J Hum Resour
FD University of Wisconsin Press
SP 611
OP 659
DO 10.3368/jhr.55.3.0117-8514R2
VO 55
IS 2
A1 Stefan Pichler
A1 Nicolas R. Ziebarth
YR 2020
UL http://jhr.uwpress.org/content/55/2/611.abstract
AB This paper exploits temporal and spatial variation in the implementation of nine city- and four state-level U.S. sick pay mandates to assess their labor market consequences. We use the synthetic control group method and traditional difference-in-differences models along with the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages to estimate the causal effects of mandated sick pay on employment and wages. We do not find much evidence that employment or wages were significantly affected by the mandates that typically allow employees to earn one hour of paid sick leave per work week, up to seven days per year. Employment decreases of 2 percent lie outside the 92 percent confidence interval and wage decreases of 3 percent lie outside the 95 percent confidence interval.