(Con-)Sequences of Non-Employment: Reintegration Trajectories in the British and German Labor Market

• In Event: 567 - Section on Aging and the Life Course Paper Session. Cross-National Comparisons of Life Course Transitions

Abstract

This article analyzes the shaping powers of labor market institutions for individual labor market trajectories after non-employment by comparing individuals in the British and German labor market. The study is concerned with long-term term labor market trajectories after non-employment as successful labor market reintegration is not only depending from high transition rates into employment but also from the stability of subsequent careers, In comparative research the United Kingdom is frequently characterized as a flexible labor market, leading to frequent status changes for workers. In contrast, the German setup emphasizes coordination and long-term relationships between employees and employers. The study applies sequence analysis to data from the British Household Panel Study and the German Socioeconomic Panel between 1992 and 2008. Results show that the flexible labor market of the United Kingdom offers higher re-employment rates and more consistent reintegration after once losing or leaving a job, thus providing a higher level of employment security. The emphasis on job security in Germany does not help individuals to stable labor market reintegration once they find themselves being in an outsider position. This conforms to what observers call a trend of dualization between the core work force and marginal workers in Germany. In addition, social differences in the reintegration process are larger in Germany.

Author

• Thomas Biegert, WZB Berlin Social Science Research Center