Implementing the 35 Hour Workweek by Means of Overtime Taxation

B-Tier
Journal: Review of Economic Dynamics
Year: 2003
Volume: 6
Issue: 1
Pages: 179-206

Score contribution per author:

1.005 = (α=2.01 / 2 authors) × 1.0x B-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

This paper studies the implications of taxing overtime work to reduce the workweek. We study the roles played by team work, commuting costs and idiosyncratic output risk in determining the choice of the workweek. To obtain reliable estimates, we calibrate the model to the substitutability between overtime and employment using business cycle information. We find that a tax-rate of 12% of overtime wages reduces the workweek from 40 to 35 hours. This tax change increases employment by 7% and reduces output and productivity by 10.2% and 4.2%, respectively. Moreover, the welfare costs of this policy seem to be very large. (Copyright: Elsevier)

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:red:issued:v:6:y:2003:i:1:p:179-206
Journal Field
Macro
Author Count
2
Added to Database
2026-01-26