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The Public-Private Sector Gender Wage Differential: Evidence from Matched Employee-Workplace Data

Author

Listed:
  • Chatterji, Monojit

    (University of Dundee)

  • Mumford, Karen A.

    (University of York)

  • Smith, Peter N.

    (University of York)

Abstract

Using new linked employee-workplace data for Britain in 2004, we find that the nature of the public private pay gap differs between genders and that of the gender pay gap differs between sectors. The analysis shows that little none of the gender earnings gap in both the public and private sector can be explained by differences in observable characteristics. Decomposition analysis further reveals that the contribution of differences in workplace characteristics to the public private earnings gap is sizeable and significant. Whilst the presence of performance related pay and company pension schemes is associated with higher relative earnings for those in the private sector, an important workplace characteristic for the public private pay gap is the presence of family-friendly employment practices. Increased provision is especially associated with higher relative earnings in the public sector for women.

Suggested Citation

  • Chatterji, Monojit & Mumford, Karen A. & Smith, Peter N., 2007. "The Public-Private Sector Gender Wage Differential: Evidence from Matched Employee-Workplace Data," IZA Discussion Papers 3158, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp3158
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Liviu Voinea & Flaviu Mihaescu, 2012. "A contribution to the public–private wage inequality debate," The Economics of Transition, The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, vol. 20(2), pages 315-337, April.
    2. Lixin Cai & Amy Y.C. Liu, 2008. "Public-Private Wage Gap in Australia: Variation Along the Distribution," CEPR Discussion Papers 581, Centre for Economic Policy Research, Research School of Economics, Australian National University.
    3. Yekaterina Chzhen & Karen Mumford, "undated". "Gender Gaps Across the Earnings Distribution in Britain: Are Women Bossy Enough?," Discussion Papers 09/27, Department of Economics, University of York.
    4. Jill Rubery, 2013. "Public sector adjustment and the threat to gender equality," Chapters, in: Daniel Vaughan-Whitehead (ed.), Public Sector Shock, chapter 2, pages 43-83, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    5. Liviu Voinea, 2011. "A Contribution to the Public-Private Wage Inequality Debate: The Iconic Case of Romania," wiiw Balkan Observatory Working Papers 93, The Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies, wiiw.
    6. Pérez, Javier J. & Giordano, Raffaela & Depalo, Domenico & Coutinho Pereira, Manuel & Eugène, Bruno & Papapetrou, Evangelia & Reiss, Lukas & Roter, Mojca, 2011. "The public sector pay gap in a selection of Euro area countries," Working Paper Series 1406, European Central Bank.
    7. Lixin Cai & Amy Y. C. Liu, 2011. "Public–Private Sector Wage Gap in Australia: Variation along the Distribution," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 49(2), pages 362-390, June.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    public sector earnings; gender; gap; family friendly; decomposition;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J3 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs
    • J7 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor Discrimination

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