AEA Papers and Proceedings
ISSN 2574-0768 (Print) | ISSN 2574-0776 (Online)
The Effects of Unemployment Insurance Caseworkers on Job Search Effort
AEA Papers and Proceedings
vol. 114,
May 2024
(pp. 567–71)
Abstract
We combine a high-frequency survey on job search effort with administrative data on caseworker interactions from the German unemployment insurance system to estimate how the dynamics of search effort respond to caseworker meetings and vacancy referrals. Meetings alone do not increase individuals' search time beyond a mechanical meeting-day effect; however, we find suggestive evidence that they do when combined with a formal contract on job search obligations. Referrals lead to a modest increase in effort over the three weeks following the event. Our findings leave room for caseworkers affecting employment outcomes through other channels, for example, by altering search effectiveness.Citation
Schiprowski, Amelie, Julia Schmidtke, Johannes Schmieder, and Simon Trenkle. 2024. "The Effects of Unemployment Insurance Caseworkers on Job Search Effort." AEA Papers and Proceedings, 114: 567–71. DOI: 10.1257/pandp.20241091Additional Materials
JEL Classification
- J22 Time Allocation and Labor Supply
- J64 Unemployment: Models, Duration, Incidence, and Job Search
- J65 Unemployment Insurance; Severance Pay; Plant Closings