Worker sorting and job satisfaction : the case of union and government jobs

John S. HEYWOOD, W. S. SIEBERT, Xiangdong WEI

Research output: Journal PublicationsJournal Article (refereed)peer-review

87 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

In initial cross-section estimates using data from the 1991-94 British Household Panel Study, the authors find that union members had lower overall job satisfaction than non-union members, and public sector workers had higher satisfaction than private sector workers. Controlling for individual worker effects (sorting) using panel methods confirms the lower satisfaction of union members, but eliminates the higher satisfaction of public sector workers. These results suggest that unions do not simply attract the dissatisfied, as previously suggested. By contrast, the greater satisfaction expressed by public sector workers seems largely a consequence of sorting, with those who are more easily satisfied being drawn to the public sector. Additional analysis of particular aspects of satisfaction, including satisfaction with pay, the work itself, and relations with the boss, generally supports these conclusions.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)595-609
Number of pages15
JournalIndustrial and Labor Relations Review
Volume55
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jul 2002

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