Labor market policy

Based on a factorial survey experiment involving 3,532 respondents - conducted as a follow-up to the 2024 BIBB/BAuA Employment Survey - a recent study by the IAW examines the conditions under which employees choose to work while ill versus taking sick leave. Participants evaluated hypothetical scenarios involving illness, with variables such as the severity of the condition, the risk of contagion, workload, and pressure to be present.

The findings indicate that the severity of the illness is the primary factor in the decision-making process. Employees with the option to work from home are more likely to continue working while ill, effectively shifting their work from the workplace to a home environment. Organizational and social factors play a significant role in this decision, particularly in cases of moderately severe illness. In instances of more serious illness, those who choose to continue working are primarily driven by career-related and reputational concerns.

Study

Is Large-Scale Labor Mobility a Challenge for Civil Protection? (in German)

Dr. Andreas Koch [IAW]

Modeling Employment Histories Using Machine Learning Methods (in German).

Dr. Natalie Herdegen [IAW]

Berlin has considerable potential for economic development. A diverse business landscape, science and research, a vibrant startup scene, and an international orientation characterize the city as a business location. At the same time, bottlenecks in financing, skilled labor, housing, transportation, international accessibility, and administration may limit further economic momentum. Commissioned by the Berlin Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK Berlin), the IAW conducted a study that essentially answers the question of what economic scale Berlin could achieve if it specifically addressed key location bottlenecks.

Study (in German)