Document de travail

Insiders, Outsiders, and Involuntary Unemployment

Sexual Harrassment Exacerbates Gender Inequality

Daniel L. Chen et Jasmin Sethi

Résumé

Sexual harassment is perceived to be a major impediment to female labor force participation. We use the random assignment of U.S. federal judges setting geographically-local precedent, and the fact that judges’ biographies predict decisions in sexual harassment cases, to document the causal impact of forbidding sexual harassment. Consistent with an insider-outsider theory of involuntary unemployment, but in contrast to a mandated benefits theory of employment protections, pro-plaintiff sexual harassment precedent spurred the adoption of sexual harassment human resources policies, encouraged entry of outsiders, and reduced gender inequality in labor supply and wages among the population. These effects were comparable to the effects of the Equal Employment Opportunity Act and greatest in the construction industry, which was heavily affected by sexual harassment litigation.

Mots-clés

Gender discrimination; microaggression; trauma; safe spaces; prejudice;

Codes JEL

  • J31: Wage Level and Structure • Wage Differentials
  • J71: Discrimination
  • J81: Working Conditions
  • J83: Workers' Rights
  • K31: Labor Law

Référence

Daniel L. Chen et Jasmin Sethi, « Insiders, Outsiders, and Involuntary Unemployment: Sexual Harrassment Exacerbates Gender Inequality », TSE Working Paper, n° 16-687, août 2016.

Voir aussi

Publié dans

TSE Working Paper, n° 16-687, août 2016