Quits, layoffs, and job destruction

Abstract

We examine the quit–layoff distinction and its implications for job destruction from the employer's perspective. Using a set of panel data of Dutch firms, we get the following results. First, in addition to layoffs, quits contribute to the speed of downward adjustment of labour. Second, about 22% of the jobs of workers who resigned are destroyed. It is not clear-cut whether these resignations are initiated by employers or employees.