TY  - RPRT
        AU  - Puhani, Patrick A.
AU  - Sonderhof, Katja
        TI  - The Effects of a Sick Pay Reform on Absence and on Health-Related Outcomes
        PY  - 2009/Dec/
        PB  - Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)
        CY  - Bonn
        T2  - IZA Discussion Paper
        IS  - 4607
        UR  - https://www.iza.org/publications/dp4607
        AB  - We evaluate the effects of a reduction in sick pay from 100 to 80% of the wage. Unlike previous literature, apart from absence from work, we also consider effects on doctor/hospital visits and subjective health indicators. We also add to the literature by estimating both switch-on and switch-off effects, because the reform was repealed two years later. We find a two-day reduction in the number of days of absence. Quantile regression reveals higher point estimates (both in absolute and relative terms) at higher quantiles, meaning that the reform predominantly reduced long durations of absence. In terms of health, the reform reduced the average number of days spent in hospital by almost half a day, but we cannot find robust evidence for negative effects on health outcomes or perceived liquidity constraints.
        KW  - intrinsic motivation
KW  - sickness pay
KW  - absenteeism
KW  - health expenditure
KW  - hospitalization
KW  - difference-in-differences
KW  - switch on
KW  - switch off
KW  - quantile regression
        ER  -