Racial/Ethnic Differences In Non-Work At Work

Evidence from the American Time Use Survey 2003-2012 suggests that minority employees, especially men, spend a small but statistically significant amount of time not working at the workplace relative to non-Hispanic whites. The time differences remain significant but decrease by 25 to 50% when accounting for detailed industry and occupation controls. Union status, public- or private-sector attachment, payment method, and educational attainment do not explain the differences, although health status is important among African Americans. The estimates imply that the differences in non-work at the worksite can explain up to 10% of the adjusted wage gap between minority and non-Hispanic white workers.