Good jobs and bad jobs

Richard Layard

LSE Research Online Documents on Economics from London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library

Abstract: 1. Human happiness is more affected by whether or not one has a job than by what kind of job it is. 2. Thus, when jobs are to hand, we should insist that unemployed people take them. This involves a much more pro-active placement service and clearer conditionality than applies in many countries. 3. But we should also guarantee unemployed people work within a year of becoming unemployed. In this way we put a reciprocal obligation on the state (to produce work) and on the individual (to take it). Such a guarantee requires a well- judged mix of subsidies, supported work, and training. 4. Where there is low pay, the correct response is in-work benefits, together with a longterm strategy to reduce low skill.

JEL-codes: J01 J1 R14 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 19 pages
Date: 2004
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (12)

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Working Paper: Good Jobs and Bad Jobs (2004)
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