Understanding the Reallocation of Displaced Workers to Firms

Pre-print, Working paper: We study job displacement in France. In the medium run, losses in firm-specific wage premium account for a substantial share of tthe overall cost of displacement. However, and despite the positive correlation between premium and productivity in the cross-section of firms, we find that workers are reemployed by high productivity, low labor share firms. The observed reallocation is therefore productivity-enhancing, yet costly for workers. We show that destination firms are less likely to conclude collective wage agreements and have lower participation rates at professional elections. Overall, our results point to a loss in bargaining power.

Author(s)

Paul Brandily, Camille Hémet, Clément Malgouyres

Date of publication
  • 2022
Keywords JEL
J31 J63
Keywords
  • Displaced workers
  • Wage
  • Reallocation
  • Labor share
  • Productivity
  • Labor share Displaced workers
Internal reference
  • PSE Working Papers n°2020-82
Version
  • 2