In this discussion, Joshua Angrist, a Nobel laureate from MIT, Zoe Cullen from Harvard focusing on labor economics, and Marina Gertsberg of the University of Melbourne explore the often overlooked consequences of well-meaning policies. They delve into how good intentions can inadvertently harm those they aim to help, examining pay transparency laws and their paradoxical effects on wages. The impact of the #MeToo movement on academic collaborations is also highlighted, showcasing how it has inadvertently affected women's professional relationships and research opportunities.
The #MeToo movement caused a decline in collaborations and productivity among junior female academics due to concerns over sexual harassment accusations, highlighting unintended consequences impacting career outcomes.
Pay transparency laws unintentionally linked bargaining practices across workers, resulting in compressed pay and overall decline in wages, showcasing the unintended consequences of such regulations.
Deep dives
Unintended Consequences of the Me Too Movement
Junior female academics started fewer new projects with male co-authors after the Me Too movement, leading to a decline in collaborations and productivity. This drop in collaborations due to concerns over sexual harassment accusations, showcasing how good intentions of the movement resulted in unintended consequences impacting career outcomes.
Pay Transparency Laws' Impact on Wages
Pay transparency laws led to lower wages in states with such regulations, as employers were compelled to equalize wages among workers. The laws unintentionally linked bargaining practices across workers, resulting in compressed pay and overall decline in wages.
The ADA and Unintended Consequences
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) aimed to protect disabled workers but unintentionally reduced their employment rates and earnings. Employers hesitated to hire disabled workers due to accommodation costs, illustrating how well-intentioned policies can backfire.
Trade-offs in Policy Decisions
Economists emphasize the presence of trade-offs in policy design. Despite good intentions behind policies, trade-offs should be acknowledged to navigate unintended consequences effectively. Understanding trade-offs can lead to clearer policy decisions for better outcomes.