Firms facing negative shocks reduce labor costs through layoffs rather than nominal wage cuts
Evidence consistently shows that downward nominal wage rigidity prevents firms from cutting wages during negative shocks, forcing them to adjust labor costs primarily through layoffs and employment reductions.
Multiple empirical studies using payroll, administrative, and survey data document downward nominal wage rigidity (DNWR), confirming that firms facing negative economic shocks or downturns reduce labor costs through employment adjustments (layoffs and reduced hiring) rather than nominal wage cuts.
Daniel Schaefer, Carl Singleton. The Extent of Downward Nominal Wage Rigidity: New Evidence from Payroll Data. 2022. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.red.2022.11.006
Demonstrates that basic wages exhibit downward nominal rigidity, with very few employees experiencing wage cuts even during economic downturns.
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Gabriel Ehrlich, Joshua Montes. Wage Rigidity and Employment Outcomes: Evidence from Administrative Data. 2024. https://doi.org/10.1257/mac.20200125
Shows that downward nominal wage rigidity prevents wage cuts and leads to higher layoff rates as firms adjust labor costs through employment rather than wages.
Steinar Holden, Fredrik Wulfsberg. Downward Nominal Wage Rigidity in Europe. 2004. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.540023
Finds consistent evidence of downward nominal wage rigidity across European countries and industries, limiting the use of wage cuts.
Cortes GM, Forsythe E. Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic and the CARES Act on Earnings and Inequality. 2020. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3689187
Provides empirical evidence from the COVID-19 pandemic showing that aggregate earnings declines were entirely driven by employment losses rather than atypical earnings changes for those who remained employed.
Cortes GM, Forsythe E. Impacts of the Covid-19 Pandemic and the Cares Act on Earnings and Inequality. 2020. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3682957
Reiterates that pandemic-related earnings losses were driven by declines in employment while individuals remaining employed experienced no atypical earnings changes.
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