H. Maassen van den Brink

Job satisfaction, wages and allocation of men and women

Previous studies on job satisfaction suggest that: women are more satisfied with their job than men, while workers with higher wages and workers with more education are less satisfied. In this paper we try to explain these somewhat puzzling and counterintuitive findings. Further, we examine the effects of the quality of the match between skills and job requirements on job satisfaction. We also explore the possibility that the atmosphere in which the work is done has an effect on job satisfaction. A novelty is the joint estimation of job satisfaction and wages, where job satisfaction is determined by the wage rate. This joint estimation allows us to indicate whether workers who are paid more than their expected market wage are more satisfied than workers who are underpaid relative to their expected market wage rate. It also enables us to separate the effect of variables on job satisfaction from their effect on wages.

A household production model of paid labor, household work and child care.

In this paper we use data on time allocation of women to estimate the value of market and non-market work. Four time use categories are distinguished: paid work, houshold work, care for children, and leisure. The estimation results show that the value of non-market production (household production and child care) is substantial and exceeds that of market production (paid work).

Oorzaken van fraude in de zorgsector

Health care fraud and abuse has long been ignored or downplayed in the Netherlands. Increased media attention has put the issue more on the agenda. Health care fraud can erode the willingness to pay the compulsory contributions for health care among the population. Exact figures on health care fraud are still unavailable, although examples of fraudulent behavior are manifold. The risk of health care fraud is high due to the complexity and lack of transparency of the reimbursement system, the autonomy of the health care professional, the lack of adequate control, governance and attention for compliance in health care. What is needed to combat fraud in health care is a ‘zero tolerance’ policy. For this more attention to compliance and a change in the culture that ignores and condones fraud in health care are necessary.