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Sickness Absence, Works Councils, and Personnel Problems. Evidence from German Individual and Linked Employer-Employee Data

Author

Listed:
  • Arnold, Daniel
  • Brändle, Tobias
  • Goerke, Laszlo
Abstract
Using both household and linked-employer-employee data we study the effects of works councils on individual sickness absence rates and a subjective measure of personnel problems due to absenteeism in Germany. We find that the existence of a works council is positively correlated with the incidence of absence and the amount of days being absent. Further, personnel problems due to absenteeism are more likely in plants in which there is a works council. We cannot reject the hypothesis, however, that self-selection of employees or firms gives rise to this relationship between absenteeism and works councils.

Suggested Citation

  • Arnold, Daniel & Brändle, Tobias & Goerke, Laszlo, 2013. "Sickness Absence, Works Councils, and Personnel Problems. Evidence from German Individual and Linked Employer-Employee Data," VfS Annual Conference 2013 (Duesseldorf): Competition Policy and Regulation in a Global Economic Order 79906, Verein für Socialpolitik / German Economic Association.
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:vfsc13:79906
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • J53 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor-Management Relations, Trade Unions, and Collective Bargaining - - - Labor-Management Relations; Industrial Jurisprudence
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • M54 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Personnel Economics - - - Labor Management

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