Working Paper: CEPR ID: DP17503
Authors: Sam Hoey; Thomas Peeters; Jan C. van Ours
Abstract: We study how workers in production teams are affected by the temporary absence and replacement of a coworker. When a substitute coworker is absent, the remaining coworkers produce less output per working time. They compensate for this by increasing their working time at the expense of the (less able) replacement worker, such that the output loss per remaining worker is not significant. When a complementary coworker is absent, we see a similar loss in output per minute worked, but this directly leads to a loss of output produced, because remaining workers do not take over the absent worker's tasks.
Keywords: Absenteeism; Worker Productivity; Team Production
JEL Codes: M50; M54; J24
Edges that are evidenced by causal inference methods are in orange, and the rest are in light blue.
| Cause | Effect |
|---|---|
| absence of a substitute coworker (J22) | productivity of remaining team members (D29) |
| absence of a substitute coworker (J22) | increase in working time of remaining coworkers (J29) |
| increase in working time of remaining coworkers (J29) | productivity of remaining team members (D29) |
| absence of a complementary coworker (J22) | productivity of remaining team members (D29) |
| absence of a complementary coworker (J22) | total output produced (E23) |
| absence of a complementary coworker (J22) | loss in output per minute worked (J29) |
| absence of a complementary coworker (J22) | productivity loss more pronounced (D29) |
| peer effects and average ability of replacement workers (J29) | productivity outcomes (O49) |