Inequality in the Impact of the Coronavirus Shock: New Survey Evidence for the US

CWPE2022

Abstract: Using new US survey data collected on March 24th 2020, we already find that: 65% of workers engaged in less paid work over the past week than usually. 11% of workers had already lost their job due to COVID-19. For those still in work, the expected probability of job loss within the next four months is 40%. On average, workers expect to earn 39% less in the next four months compared to usual. As a consequence, workers expect there is a 56% chance of having problems paying their bills. 93% of respondents expect to have problems paying usual bills with above zero probability. The harsh impacts are not evenly distributed across the population; the young ,and low income earners have been hit hardest. Workers without paid sick leave are more likely to go to work in close proximity to others.

https://www.econ.cam.ac.uk/research/cwpe-abstracts?cwpe=2022

Inequality in the Impact of the Coronavirus Shock: New Survey Evidence for the UK

CWPE2023

Abstract: Using new UK survey data collected on March 25th 2020, we already find that: 57% of workers engaged in less paid work over the past week than usually. 8% of workers in employment a month ago have already lost their job due to COVID-19. For those still in work, the expected probability of job loss within the next four months is 33%. On average, workers expected to earn 35% less in the next four months compared to usual and expect there is a 49% chance of them having problems paying their bills. These harsh impacts are not evenly distributed across the population; the young, and low income earners have been hit hardest. Workers without paid sick leave beyond the statutory minimum are more likely to go to work with a cold or a fever and also work in close proximity to others.

https://www.econ.cam.ac.uk/research/cwpe-abstracts?cwpe=2023