Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/125091 
Year of Publication: 
2015
Series/Report no.: 
Tinbergen Institute Discussion Paper No. 15-099/VII
Publisher: 
Tinbergen Institute, Amsterdam and Rotterdam
Abstract: 
We investigate how a transition from paid employment to self-employment in the labor market influences life satisfaction. Furthermore, we consider the dynamics of work and leisure satisfaction because the balance between work and leisure is an important element of life satisfaction. Fixed-effects regressions using German Socio-Economic Panel data (1984-2012) reveal that switching to self-employment benefits life and work satisfaction. The effects on life satisfaction are weak and temporary, but they are pronounced and relatively persistent for work satisfaction. However, the gain in work satisfaction is outweighed by a decrease in leisure satisfaction, thus placing work-life balance under severe pressure.
Subjects: 
Self-employment
Entrepreneurship
Life satisfaction
Work satisfaction
Work-life balance
JEL: 
I31
J24
J28
J31
L26
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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