Scandinavian Working Papers in Economics
Seminar Papers,
Stockholm University, Institute for International Economic Studies
No 697: The Effects on Sick Leave of Changes in the Sickness Insurance System
Magnus Henrekson () and Mats Persson ()
Additional contact information
Magnus Henrekson: Stockholm School of Economics, Postal: Department of Economics, P. O. Box 6501, S-113 83 Stockholm, Sweden
Mats Persson: Institute for International Economic Studies, Stockholm University, Postal: Stockholm University, S-106 69 Stockholm, Sweden
Abstract: In order to get a more complete picture of how labor supply is affected by economic incentives, the effects on absenteeism and not just on contracted hours should be taken into account.
In particular, absenteeism due to sick leave can be considerable. In this paper we examine whether the level of sick leave compensation affects sick leave behavior. Using time-series data for Sweden spanning a long period (1955-99) with numerous changes of the compensation level, we generally find strong effects of the expected sign. Reforms implying more generous compensation for sick leave tend to be associated with permanent increases in total sick leave per person employed and vice versa.
These findings are reinforced in a panel study covering the 1983-91 period.
Keywords: Absenteeism; Labor supply; Sick leave; Sickness insurance; Social security
35 pages, September 25, 2001
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- Published as
- Magnus Henrekson and Mats Persson, (2004), 'The Effects on Sick Leave of Changes in the Sickness Insurance System', Labor Economics, vol 22, no 1, pages 87-113
- Stockholm University, Institute for International Economic Studies
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