AEA Papers and Proceedings
ISSN 2574-0768 (Print) | ISSN 2574-0776 (Online)
Can Remote Work Narrow Gender Gaps in Greedy Jobs?
AEA Papers and Proceedings
(pp. 218–222)
Abstract
Women are underrepresented in highly paid "greedy jobs" (Goldin 2014). Could flexibility over where to work narrow this gender gap? Our evidence suggests yes. Using hypothetical choice data from Maestas et al. (2023a), we show that women view work from home (WFH) as more complementary with long hours than men do. The gender difference in WFH preferences is driven by people working over 40 hours per week. In these long-hour jobs, women are willing to forgo 15.9 percent of their pay for WFH, compared to 2.4 percent for men. Women also choose longer hours when they can WFH.Citation
Harrington, Emma, and Matthew E. Kahn. 2026. "Can Remote Work Narrow Gender Gaps in Greedy Jobs?" AEA Papers and Proceedings 116: 218–222. DOI: 10.1257/pandp.20261011Additional Materials
JEL Classification
- J16 Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
- J22 Time Allocation and Labor Supply
- J31 Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials
- M12 Personnel Management; Executives; Executive Compensation
- M54 Personnel Economics: Labor Management