Reforming Severance Pay : An International Perspective

Throughout the developed and developing world there is growing demand for policies that would facilitate access to jobs by the most vulnerable, improve their earnings, and reduce their dependency on public support. As a result, governments are incr...

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Main Authors: Holzmann, Robert, Vodopivec, Milan
Format: Publication
Language:English
Published: World Bank 2012
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www-wds.worldbank.org/external/default/main?menuPK=64187510&pagePK=64193027&piPK=64187937&theSitePK=523679&menuPK=64187510&searchMenuPK=64187283&siteName=WDS&entityID=000386194_20111111025924
http://hdl.handle.net/10986/2369
id okr-10986-2369
recordtype oai_dc
repository_type Digital Repository
institution_category Foreign Institution
institution Digital Repositories
building World Bank Open Knowledge Repository
collection World Bank
language English
topic ACCOUNTING
ADDITIONAL INCOME
ADEQUATE INCOME
ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS
ADVERSE EFFECTS
AFFECTED WORKERS
AMOUNT OF CONTRIBUTIONS
ANNUAL INTEREST RATE
ANNUAL RETURNS
ANNUAL SALARY
AVERAGE BALANCE
AVERAGE INTEREST
AVERAGE INTEREST RATE
AVERAGE WAGE
BANK LENDING
BANKING SYSTEM
BANKRUPTCY
BANKS
BARGAINING AGREEMENT
BENEFICIARIES
BUSINESS CYCLE
CALCULATION
CAPITAL ACCUMULATION
CAPITAL INVESTMENTS
CASH TRANSFER
CASH TRANSFERS
CHILD LABOR
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
COMPANY PENSION
CONTRACT LABOR
CREDIT UNIONS
CREDITS
CUSTOMER SERVICES
DEBTS
DEPOSIT
DEPOSITS
DEVELOPMENT BANK
DEVELOPMENT ECONOMICS
DISABILITIES
DISABILITY
DISABILITY INSURANCE
DISMISSAL
DISPLACEMENT
DOMESTIC WORKERS
EARNINGS
EARNINGS-RELATED PENSION
ECONOMIC DOWNTURNS
ECONOMIC SHOCKS
EMPLOYEE
EMPLOYER
EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTION
EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTIONS
EMPLOYERS
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
EXPENDITURES
FAMILY MEMBER
FINANCES
FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
FINANCIAL MARKETS
FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY
FIRING COST
FIRING COSTS
FIRM SIZE
FLEXIBLE LABOR MARKETS
FORCED SAVINGS
FUND MANAGEMENT
HOME IMPROVEMENT
HUMAN CAPITAL
INCOME
INCOME DISTRIBUTION
INCOME SOURCES
INCOME SUPPORT
INCOME SUPPORT PROGRAMS
INCOME SUPPORT SYSTEMS
INDIVIDUAL ACCOUNT
INDIVIDUAL ACCOUNTS
INDIVIDUAL PENSION
INDIVIDUAL SAVINGS
INFLATION
INFORMAL ECONOMY
INFORMAL LABOR MARKETS
INFORMAL SECTOR
INSURANCE COMPANIES
INSURANCE POLICIES
INSURANCE SCHEME
INSURANCE SCHEMES
INTEREST RATES
INVENTORY
INVESTING
INVOLUNTARY UNEMPLOYMENT
JOB CREATION
JOB LOSS
JOB MARKET
JOB SEARCH
JOB SECURITY
JOB SEPARATION
JOB TENURE
JOB TRAINING
JOBS
LABOR CONTRACT
LABOR CONTRACTS
LABOR COSTS
LABOR ECONOMICS
LABOR FORCE
LABOR LAWS
LABOR LEGISLATION
LABOR MARKET
LABOR MARKET CONDITIONS
LABOR MARKET PERFORMANCE
LABOR MARKET POLICIES
LABOR MARKET REFORM
LABOR MARKET REFORMS
LABOR MARKET REGULATION
LABOR MARKET REGULATIONS
LABOR MARKETS
LABOR MOBILITY
LABOR PRODUCTIVITY
LABOR REGULATION
LABOR REGULATIONS
LABOR RELATION
LABOR SUPPLY
LABOUR
LABOUR ADJUSTMENTS
LABOUR CONTRACTS
LABOUR MARKET
LABOUR MARKETS
LIABILITY
LIVING STANDARDS
LOAN
LOW INCOME
LOW INCOMES
LOW UNEMPLOYMENT
LOW-INCOME
LUMP SUM
MANDATED BENEFITS
MANDATORY SAVINGS
MANDATORY SEVERANCE
MARKET TRENDS
MARKET TURNOVER
MAXIMUM CONTRIBUTIONS
MINIMUM BENEFITS
MINIMUM CONTRIBUTIONS
MINIMUM PAYMENTS
MINIMUM WAGE
MINIMUM WAGES
MONITORING COSTS
MONTHLY INCOME
MORAL HAZARD
MORTGAGE
MORTGAGE PAYMENTS
PENSION
PENSION FUND
PENSION FUND ADMINISTRATORS
PENSION FUNDS
PENSION PLANS
PENSION REFORM
PENSION REFORMS
PENSION RIGHTS
PENSION SCHEMES
PENSION SYSTEMS
PENSIONS
POOL OF FUNDS
PRELIMINARY RESULTS
PRIME AGE
PRIVATE FINANCIAL INSTITUTION
PRIVATE SECTOR
PROGRAM DESIGN
PROPERTY TAX
PUBLIC ECONOMICS
PUBLIC PENSION
PUBLIC WORKS
PURCHASING POWER
RATE OF RETURN
RATE OF RETURNS
RATES OF RETURN
RENTS
RETIRED
RETIREMENT
RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS
RIGID LABOR MARKET
RISING UNEMPLOYMENT
RISING UNEMPLOYMENT RATE
RISK MANAGEMENT
SAFETY
SAFETY NET
SAFETY NETS
SALARY
SAVINGS ACCOUNT
SAVINGS ACCOUNTS
SEVERANCE PAY
SEVERANCE PAY SYSTEM
SEVERANCE PAYMENT
SEVERANCE PAYMENTS
SOCIAL ASSISTANCE
SOCIAL FUND
SOCIAL FUNDS
SOCIAL INSURANCE
SOCIAL PROTECTION
SOCIAL SECURITY
SOCIAL SERVICES
SOURCE OF INCOME
SOURCES OF INCOME
TEMPORARY WORKERS
TERMINATION
TREASURY BONDS
UNEMPLOYED
UNEMPLOYED WORKERS
UNEMPLOYMENT
UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE
UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS
UNEMPLOYMENT DURATION
UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE
UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE PROGRAM
UNEMPLOYMENT RATES
VALUATION
VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS
WAGE GAP
WAGE INCREASE
WITHDRAWAL
WORKER
WORKERS
WORTH
YOUNG WORKERS
YOUTH EMPLOYMENT
spellingShingle ACCOUNTING
ADDITIONAL INCOME
ADEQUATE INCOME
ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS
ADVERSE EFFECTS
AFFECTED WORKERS
AMOUNT OF CONTRIBUTIONS
ANNUAL INTEREST RATE
ANNUAL RETURNS
ANNUAL SALARY
AVERAGE BALANCE
AVERAGE INTEREST
AVERAGE INTEREST RATE
AVERAGE WAGE
BANK LENDING
BANKING SYSTEM
BANKRUPTCY
BANKS
BARGAINING AGREEMENT
BENEFICIARIES
BUSINESS CYCLE
CALCULATION
CAPITAL ACCUMULATION
CAPITAL INVESTMENTS
CASH TRANSFER
CASH TRANSFERS
CHILD LABOR
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
COMPANY PENSION
CONTRACT LABOR
CREDIT UNIONS
CREDITS
CUSTOMER SERVICES
DEBTS
DEPOSIT
DEPOSITS
DEVELOPMENT BANK
DEVELOPMENT ECONOMICS
DISABILITIES
DISABILITY
DISABILITY INSURANCE
DISMISSAL
DISPLACEMENT
DOMESTIC WORKERS
EARNINGS
EARNINGS-RELATED PENSION
ECONOMIC DOWNTURNS
ECONOMIC SHOCKS
EMPLOYEE
EMPLOYER
EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTION
EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTIONS
EMPLOYERS
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
EXPENDITURES
FAMILY MEMBER
FINANCES
FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
FINANCIAL MARKETS
FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY
FIRING COST
FIRING COSTS
FIRM SIZE
FLEXIBLE LABOR MARKETS
FORCED SAVINGS
FUND MANAGEMENT
HOME IMPROVEMENT
HUMAN CAPITAL
INCOME
INCOME DISTRIBUTION
INCOME SOURCES
INCOME SUPPORT
INCOME SUPPORT PROGRAMS
INCOME SUPPORT SYSTEMS
INDIVIDUAL ACCOUNT
INDIVIDUAL ACCOUNTS
INDIVIDUAL PENSION
INDIVIDUAL SAVINGS
INFLATION
INFORMAL ECONOMY
INFORMAL LABOR MARKETS
INFORMAL SECTOR
INSURANCE COMPANIES
INSURANCE POLICIES
INSURANCE SCHEME
INSURANCE SCHEMES
INTEREST RATES
INVENTORY
INVESTING
INVOLUNTARY UNEMPLOYMENT
JOB CREATION
JOB LOSS
JOB MARKET
JOB SEARCH
JOB SECURITY
JOB SEPARATION
JOB TENURE
JOB TRAINING
JOBS
LABOR CONTRACT
LABOR CONTRACTS
LABOR COSTS
LABOR ECONOMICS
LABOR FORCE
LABOR LAWS
LABOR LEGISLATION
LABOR MARKET
LABOR MARKET CONDITIONS
LABOR MARKET PERFORMANCE
LABOR MARKET POLICIES
LABOR MARKET REFORM
LABOR MARKET REFORMS
LABOR MARKET REGULATION
LABOR MARKET REGULATIONS
LABOR MARKETS
LABOR MOBILITY
LABOR PRODUCTIVITY
LABOR REGULATION
LABOR REGULATIONS
LABOR RELATION
LABOR SUPPLY
LABOUR
LABOUR ADJUSTMENTS
LABOUR CONTRACTS
LABOUR MARKET
LABOUR MARKETS
LIABILITY
LIVING STANDARDS
LOAN
LOW INCOME
LOW INCOMES
LOW UNEMPLOYMENT
LOW-INCOME
LUMP SUM
MANDATED BENEFITS
MANDATORY SAVINGS
MANDATORY SEVERANCE
MARKET TRENDS
MARKET TURNOVER
MAXIMUM CONTRIBUTIONS
MINIMUM BENEFITS
MINIMUM CONTRIBUTIONS
MINIMUM PAYMENTS
MINIMUM WAGE
MINIMUM WAGES
MONITORING COSTS
MONTHLY INCOME
MORAL HAZARD
MORTGAGE
MORTGAGE PAYMENTS
PENSION
PENSION FUND
PENSION FUND ADMINISTRATORS
PENSION FUNDS
PENSION PLANS
PENSION REFORM
PENSION REFORMS
PENSION RIGHTS
PENSION SCHEMES
PENSION SYSTEMS
PENSIONS
POOL OF FUNDS
PRELIMINARY RESULTS
PRIME AGE
PRIVATE FINANCIAL INSTITUTION
PRIVATE SECTOR
PROGRAM DESIGN
PROPERTY TAX
PUBLIC ECONOMICS
PUBLIC PENSION
PUBLIC WORKS
PURCHASING POWER
RATE OF RETURN
RATE OF RETURNS
RATES OF RETURN
RENTS
RETIRED
RETIREMENT
RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS
RIGID LABOR MARKET
RISING UNEMPLOYMENT
RISING UNEMPLOYMENT RATE
RISK MANAGEMENT
SAFETY
SAFETY NET
SAFETY NETS
SALARY
SAVINGS ACCOUNT
SAVINGS ACCOUNTS
SEVERANCE PAY
SEVERANCE PAY SYSTEM
SEVERANCE PAYMENT
SEVERANCE PAYMENTS
SOCIAL ASSISTANCE
SOCIAL FUND
SOCIAL FUNDS
SOCIAL INSURANCE
SOCIAL PROTECTION
SOCIAL SECURITY
SOCIAL SERVICES
SOURCE OF INCOME
SOURCES OF INCOME
TEMPORARY WORKERS
TERMINATION
TREASURY BONDS
UNEMPLOYED
UNEMPLOYED WORKERS
UNEMPLOYMENT
UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE
UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS
UNEMPLOYMENT DURATION
UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE
UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE PROGRAM
UNEMPLOYMENT RATES
VALUATION
VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS
WAGE GAP
WAGE INCREASE
WITHDRAWAL
WORKER
WORKERS
WORTH
YOUNG WORKERS
YOUTH EMPLOYMENT
Holzmann, Robert
Vodopivec, Milan
Reforming Severance Pay : An International Perspective
description Throughout the developed and developing world there is growing demand for policies that would facilitate access to jobs by the most vulnerable, improve their earnings, and reduce their dependency on public support. As a result, governments are increasingly focused on removing obstacles faced by employers to create jobs and on instilling incentives for individuals to re-enter the labor market or to move toward more productive employment possibilities. Severance pay a program compensating formal workers for dismissal by employers or with an end-of-service benefit is often blamed for distorting employer hiring and firing decisions. Together with restrictive labor market regulations and other formal labor market features, this program is held responsible for excessive job protection with a negative impact on labor market outcomes, in particular affecting the most vulnerable. Despite this strong negative assessment among many labor market economists, surprisingly little is known about this program that exists in most countries around the world as a legally mandated benefit. This lack of knowledge may derive from the special 'positioning' of the program between labor code and social insurance; its origins were in the first policy domain, but its objectives for key programs were replicated in the second domain in particular unemployment and retirement benefits. This is the first-ever book to shed light on this program in a comprehensive manner its historical origins, its rationale, and its characteristics across the world. It reviews the soundness of the empirical accusation, assesses recent country reforms, and offers policy reform alternatives and policy guidance. The policy directions include folding severance pay into existing social insurance programs, where they exist, and to make severance pay contractual between market partners as a way to enhance efficiency in a knowledge-based economy. Folding severance pay into employment benefits may also be an opportunity to move away from unemployment insurance, which is fraught by moral hazard, toward a promising 'hybrid' system of unemployment insurance savings accounts supplemented by social pooling.
format Publications & Research :: Publication
author Holzmann, Robert
Vodopivec, Milan
author_facet Holzmann, Robert
Vodopivec, Milan
author_sort Holzmann, Robert
title Reforming Severance Pay : An International Perspective
title_short Reforming Severance Pay : An International Perspective
title_full Reforming Severance Pay : An International Perspective
title_fullStr Reforming Severance Pay : An International Perspective
title_full_unstemmed Reforming Severance Pay : An International Perspective
title_sort reforming severance pay : an international perspective
publisher World Bank
publishDate 2012
url http://www-wds.worldbank.org/external/default/main?menuPK=64187510&pagePK=64193027&piPK=64187937&theSitePK=523679&menuPK=64187510&searchMenuPK=64187283&siteName=WDS&entityID=000386194_20111111025924
http://hdl.handle.net/10986/2369
_version_ 1764385335776641024
spelling okr-10986-23692021-04-23T14:02:01Z Reforming Severance Pay : An International Perspective Holzmann, Robert Vodopivec, Milan ACCOUNTING ADDITIONAL INCOME ADEQUATE INCOME ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS ADVERSE EFFECTS AFFECTED WORKERS AMOUNT OF CONTRIBUTIONS ANNUAL INTEREST RATE ANNUAL RETURNS ANNUAL SALARY AVERAGE BALANCE AVERAGE INTEREST AVERAGE INTEREST RATE AVERAGE WAGE BANK LENDING BANKING SYSTEM BANKRUPTCY BANKS BARGAINING AGREEMENT BENEFICIARIES BUSINESS CYCLE CALCULATION CAPITAL ACCUMULATION CAPITAL INVESTMENTS CASH TRANSFER CASH TRANSFERS CHILD LABOR COLLECTIVE BARGAINING COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMPANY PENSION CONTRACT LABOR CREDIT UNIONS CREDITS CUSTOMER SERVICES DEBTS DEPOSIT DEPOSITS DEVELOPMENT BANK DEVELOPMENT ECONOMICS DISABILITIES DISABILITY DISABILITY INSURANCE DISMISSAL DISPLACEMENT DOMESTIC WORKERS EARNINGS EARNINGS-RELATED PENSION ECONOMIC DOWNTURNS ECONOMIC SHOCKS EMPLOYEE EMPLOYER EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTION EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTIONS EMPLOYERS EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES EXPENDITURES FAMILY MEMBER FINANCES FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT FINANCIAL MARKETS FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY FIRING COST FIRING COSTS FIRM SIZE FLEXIBLE LABOR MARKETS FORCED SAVINGS FUND MANAGEMENT HOME IMPROVEMENT HUMAN CAPITAL INCOME INCOME DISTRIBUTION INCOME SOURCES INCOME SUPPORT INCOME SUPPORT PROGRAMS INCOME SUPPORT SYSTEMS INDIVIDUAL ACCOUNT INDIVIDUAL ACCOUNTS INDIVIDUAL PENSION INDIVIDUAL SAVINGS INFLATION INFORMAL ECONOMY INFORMAL LABOR MARKETS INFORMAL SECTOR INSURANCE COMPANIES INSURANCE POLICIES INSURANCE SCHEME INSURANCE SCHEMES INTEREST RATES INVENTORY INVESTING INVOLUNTARY UNEMPLOYMENT JOB CREATION JOB LOSS JOB MARKET JOB SEARCH JOB SECURITY JOB SEPARATION JOB TENURE JOB TRAINING JOBS LABOR CONTRACT LABOR CONTRACTS LABOR COSTS LABOR ECONOMICS LABOR FORCE LABOR LAWS LABOR LEGISLATION LABOR MARKET LABOR MARKET CONDITIONS LABOR MARKET PERFORMANCE LABOR MARKET POLICIES LABOR MARKET REFORM LABOR MARKET REFORMS LABOR MARKET REGULATION LABOR MARKET REGULATIONS LABOR MARKETS LABOR MOBILITY LABOR PRODUCTIVITY LABOR REGULATION LABOR REGULATIONS LABOR RELATION LABOR SUPPLY LABOUR LABOUR ADJUSTMENTS LABOUR CONTRACTS LABOUR MARKET LABOUR MARKETS LIABILITY LIVING STANDARDS LOAN LOW INCOME LOW INCOMES LOW UNEMPLOYMENT LOW-INCOME LUMP SUM MANDATED BENEFITS MANDATORY SAVINGS MANDATORY SEVERANCE MARKET TRENDS MARKET TURNOVER MAXIMUM CONTRIBUTIONS MINIMUM BENEFITS MINIMUM CONTRIBUTIONS MINIMUM PAYMENTS MINIMUM WAGE MINIMUM WAGES MONITORING COSTS MONTHLY INCOME MORAL HAZARD MORTGAGE MORTGAGE PAYMENTS PENSION PENSION FUND PENSION FUND ADMINISTRATORS PENSION FUNDS PENSION PLANS PENSION REFORM PENSION REFORMS PENSION RIGHTS PENSION SCHEMES PENSION SYSTEMS PENSIONS POOL OF FUNDS PRELIMINARY RESULTS PRIME AGE PRIVATE FINANCIAL INSTITUTION PRIVATE SECTOR PROGRAM DESIGN PROPERTY TAX PUBLIC ECONOMICS PUBLIC PENSION PUBLIC WORKS PURCHASING POWER RATE OF RETURN RATE OF RETURNS RATES OF RETURN RENTS RETIRED RETIREMENT RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS RIGID LABOR MARKET RISING UNEMPLOYMENT RISING UNEMPLOYMENT RATE RISK MANAGEMENT SAFETY SAFETY NET SAFETY NETS SALARY SAVINGS ACCOUNT SAVINGS ACCOUNTS SEVERANCE PAY SEVERANCE PAY SYSTEM SEVERANCE PAYMENT SEVERANCE PAYMENTS SOCIAL ASSISTANCE SOCIAL FUND SOCIAL FUNDS SOCIAL INSURANCE SOCIAL PROTECTION SOCIAL SECURITY SOCIAL SERVICES SOURCE OF INCOME SOURCES OF INCOME TEMPORARY WORKERS TERMINATION TREASURY BONDS UNEMPLOYED UNEMPLOYED WORKERS UNEMPLOYMENT UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS UNEMPLOYMENT DURATION UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE PROGRAM UNEMPLOYMENT RATES VALUATION VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS WAGE GAP WAGE INCREASE WITHDRAWAL WORKER WORKERS WORTH YOUNG WORKERS YOUTH EMPLOYMENT Throughout the developed and developing world there is growing demand for policies that would facilitate access to jobs by the most vulnerable, improve their earnings, and reduce their dependency on public support. As a result, governments are increasingly focused on removing obstacles faced by employers to create jobs and on instilling incentives for individuals to re-enter the labor market or to move toward more productive employment possibilities. Severance pay a program compensating formal workers for dismissal by employers or with an end-of-service benefit is often blamed for distorting employer hiring and firing decisions. Together with restrictive labor market regulations and other formal labor market features, this program is held responsible for excessive job protection with a negative impact on labor market outcomes, in particular affecting the most vulnerable. Despite this strong negative assessment among many labor market economists, surprisingly little is known about this program that exists in most countries around the world as a legally mandated benefit. This lack of knowledge may derive from the special 'positioning' of the program between labor code and social insurance; its origins were in the first policy domain, but its objectives for key programs were replicated in the second domain in particular unemployment and retirement benefits. This is the first-ever book to shed light on this program in a comprehensive manner its historical origins, its rationale, and its characteristics across the world. It reviews the soundness of the empirical accusation, assesses recent country reforms, and offers policy reform alternatives and policy guidance. The policy directions include folding severance pay into existing social insurance programs, where they exist, and to make severance pay contractual between market partners as a way to enhance efficiency in a knowledge-based economy. Folding severance pay into employment benefits may also be an opportunity to move away from unemployment insurance, which is fraught by moral hazard, toward a promising 'hybrid' system of unemployment insurance savings accounts supplemented by social pooling. 2012-03-19T09:05:00Z 2012-03-19T09:05:00Z 2012 http://www-wds.worldbank.org/external/default/main?menuPK=64187510&pagePK=64193027&piPK=64187937&theSitePK=523679&menuPK=64187510&searchMenuPK=64187283&siteName=WDS&entityID=000386194_20111111025924 978-0-8213-8849-5 http://hdl.handle.net/10986/2369 English CC BY 3.0 IGO http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/igo World Bank World Bank Publications & Research :: Publication Publications & Research :: Publication