Dear colleagues,

The  Department of Economics cordially invites you to the WU Economic Research Seminar on Wednesday, January 26^th, with

Rudolf Winter-Ebmer

(Johannes Kepler University Linz)

on

“The health externalities of downsizing”

Abstract: We show that downsizing has substantial externalities on the health of workers who remain in the firm. To this end, we study mass layoff (ML) survivors in Austria, using workers who survive a ML themselves, but a few years in the future, as a control group. Based on high-quality administrative data, we find evidence that downsizing has persistent effects on mental and physical health, and that these effects can be explained by workers fearing for their own jobs. We also show that health externalities due to downsizing imply non-negligible cost for firms, and that wage cuts may have similar effects.

Date: Wednesday, January 26^th

Time: 4.30 to 6 pm (CET)

Location: building D4, ground floor, room D4.0.039

The following COVID-19-related regulations apply to all events at the WU campus need to be fulfilled for attending the research seminar:

2.5G proof and controls

· You should only attend classroom units if you are not ill.

· To participate in presence units, you have to show a 2.5G certificate (PCR-Tested, Vaccinated, Convalescent) upon request. You can find details regarding certificates and their validity here

· Please arrive on campus at least 30-45 minutes before the start of the course. To ensure that the checks can be carried out as quickly and smoothly as possible, please always bring your certificate with you on paper and have your photo ID ready as well. If necessary, please also follow the on-site guiding system.

· Checks may take place in front of the building or at the beginning of the course and will be carried out by WU staff and WU security personnel.

Compulsory attendance, WU check-in and contact tracing

· Please use the WU check-in (checkin.wu.ac.at) at the beginning of each course unit and during exams and enter your seat number. You can find the number right on the coloured spot on the desk. Registering your attendance and documenting your seat number are the basis for (official) contact tracing; providing incorrect information can have unpleasant consequences (quarantine) for you.

· In any case, please comply with the attendance regulations for the course, which were communicated in advance in the eVVZ. In case you do not fulfil the attendance obligation without a provable important reason for your absence(s) (i.e. events that you cannot directly influence), you cannot be assessed positively.

With best regards,

Harald Oberhofer

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Univ.-Prof. Dr. Harald Oberhofer

Department of Economics 

WU Vienna University of Economics and Business

Phone: +43/1/31336-4984

Fax: +43/1/31336-4984

Email: harald.oberhofer@wu.ac.at

Webpage: https://www.wu.ac.at/ie/mitarbeiter/harald-oberhofer/

Austrian Institute of Economic Research (WIFO)

Phone: +43/1/7982601-468

Fax: +43/1/7989386

Email: harald.oberhofer@wifo.ac.at

Webpage: http://www.wifo.ac.at/harald_oberhofer