Assessing the Employee Welfare Impact of Right‐To‐Work Laws: Insights From State‐Level Legislation
研究使用堆叠双重差分法，发现工作权法通过削弱集体谈判能力、增加搭便车行为，显著降低了员工福利，尤其在工会化程度高的行业，表现为员工参与、利润分享和工作生活平衡的减少。
ABSTRACT We examine the effect of right‐to‐work (RTW) laws on employee welfare using the stacked difference‐in‐differences (DiD) methodology. We posit that RTW laws weaken collective bargaining power, increase free riding, and ultimately reduce employee welfare. We document a significant employee welfare decline following RTW adoption, especially among firms in highly unionized industries. The deterioration is driven by reductions in employee involvement, profit sharing, and work–life balance provisions. Results remain robust to alternative specifications, local unobservables, endogeneity concerns, and multiple identification checks. Overall, our findings highlight important implications for policymakers, labor unions, and employers considering the broader consequences of RTW legislation.