Are workers with a long commute less productive? An empirical analysis of absenteeism

We hypothesise, and test for, a negative effect of the length of the worker's commute on worker's productivity, by examining whether the commute has a positive effect on worker's absenteeism. We identify this effect using employer-induced changes in commuting distance. Our estimates f...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Regional science and urban economics 2011, Vol.41 (1), p.1-8
Main Authors: van Ommeren, Jos N., Gutiérrez-i-Puigarnau, Eva
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Absenteeism
Absenteeism Commuting Productivity
Commuting
Economic models
Efficiency wages
Elasticity
Geographic location
Germany
Labour productivity
Measurement
Productivity
Studies
Urban economics
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Summary:We hypothesise, and test for, a negative effect of the length of the worker's commute on worker's productivity, by examining whether the commute has a positive effect on worker's absenteeism. We identify this effect using employer-induced changes in commuting distance. Our estimates for Germany indicate that commuting distance induces absenteeism with an elasticity of about 0.07 to 0.09. On average, absenteeism would be about 15 to 20% less if all workers would have a negligible commute. These results are consistent with extended urban efficiency wage models.
ISSN:0166-0462
1879-2308
DOI:10.1016/j.regsciurbeco.2010.07.005