Unemployed job search widening often counterproductive

Spread the love

Unemployed job search widening often counterproductive. Researcher finds unemployed people need stimulus to look for work, not just financial safety net. Incentives used by benefit agencies, like widening job search, can have contradictory effects. Application process unintentionally long can also be detrimental.

Incentivizing Unemployed Job Search Widening: Ambiguous Effects

Related Video

Published on: April 25, 2023 Description: Breaking down 'Certifying' for unemployment, and how to keep your benefits Some people have seen their unemployment ...

Breaking down 'Certifying' for unemployment, and how to keep your benefits

Introduction

Unemployment is a prevalent issue affecting individuals and societies worldwide. Governments often provide unemployment benefits to support those who have lost their jobs, but concerns arise about whether these benefits may discourage people from actively seeking new employment. Researchers have explored the impact of incentives used by benefit agencies to encourage unemployed individuals to broaden their job search. This article delves into the findings of a study conducted by Ph.D. candidate Heike Vethaak, examining the effectiveness of compelling unemployed individuals to widen their job search and the consequences of an extended application process for social assistance benefits.

Compelling Job Search Widening: Mixed Results

Popular belief holds that unemployment benefits should be limited to prevent disincentives for job seeking. However, research suggests that the effects of incentives used by benefit agencies can be complex and sometimes contradictory. In a large-scale experiment involving 130,000 unemployed individuals in the Netherlands, Vethaak investigated the impact of requiring job seekers to expand their search beyond jobs matching their qualifications, previous experience, salary, or travel time. The study revealed that while participants found work sooner, this outcome was not primarily attributed to the requirement itself. Instead, the additional meeting with a client manager, where the requirement was discussed, seemed to have a positive influence. Paradoxically, in cases where client managers emphasized the need to widen the search, the results were counterproductive.

Why the Requirement Backfired

Vethaak’s research suggests that the requirement to widen the job search may have hindered the efforts of certain individuals. For those who benefit from a targeted search, expanding their focus to less suitable jobs reduced their chances of securing employment. Additionally, jobs obtained through this approach were often temporary or offered fewer hours, resulting in less favorable outcomes for job seekers.

The Impact of a Lengthy Application Process

In another study, Vethaak examined the effects of application processing time for social assistance benefits in Rotterdam, Netherlands. The study randomly assigned applications to income consultants, leading to variations in processing times due to administrative factors rather than deliberate policy. Vethaak discovered that a longer application process had contrasting effects on applicants. While some did not complete their claims and missed out on benefits, these individuals often had better chances of finding employment during the waiting period. Conversely, those who received benefits experienced longer benefit dependency and lower job-finding rates. The study raises questions about the effectiveness of using application duration as a policy tool, especially considering the negative impact on individuals who do not receive advance payments during the extended process.

Wrapping Up

Vethaak’s research highlights the complexity of designing effective social security schemes. While encouraging benefit recipients to broaden their job search may seem logical, implementing such a requirement may not yield the intended results. Similarly, a lengthy application process for social assistance benefits can have unintended consequences. The overarching conclusion is that policymakers must carefully consider the potential effects of incentives and procedures to ensure they promote the well-being of unemployed individuals and society as a whole..

FAQ’s

1. What is the main purpose of the research study conducted by Heike Vethaak?

The purpose of the study was to examine the effectiveness of compelling unemployed individuals to widen their job search and the consequences of an extended application process for social assistance benefits.

2. What did the study find regarding compelling job search widening?

The study found that compelling job search widening had mixed results. While participants found work sooner, this outcome was not primarily attributed to the requirement itself. Instead, the additional meeting with a client manager, where the requirement was discussed, seemed to have a positive influence.

3. Why did the requirement to widen the job search backfire in some cases?

The requirement to widen the job search may have hindered the efforts of certain individuals, especially those who benefit from a targeted search. Expanding their focus to less suitable jobs reduced their chances of securing employment. Additionally, jobs obtained through this approach were often temporary or offered fewer hours, resulting in less favorable outcomes for job seekers.

4. What were the effects of a lengthy application process for social assistance benefits?

A lengthy application process had contrasting effects on applicants. While some individuals did not complete their claims and missed out on benefits, these individuals often had better chances of finding employment during the waiting period. Conversely, those who received benefits experienced longer benefit dependency and lower job-finding rates.

5. What is the main conclusion of the research study?

The overarching conclusion of the research study is that policymakers must carefully consider the potential effects of incentives and procedures to ensure they promote the well-being of unemployed individuals and society as a whole.

Links to additional Resources:

www.sciencedaily.com www.rug.nl www.sciencedirect.com.