This paper presents results on cross-country comparison of job satisfaction across seven EU countries taking into account that people in different countries may perceive subjective questions differently. We apply a chopit model approach where the threshold parameters in an ordered probit model are re-scaled through anchoring vignettes. Compared to a traditional ordered probit model, which yields the familiar result that Denmark and Finland are ranked in the very top, the country ranking is altered when the chopit model is applied. In this case, the Scandinavian countries are ranked somewhat lower while workers from the Netherlands are found to have the highest level of job satisfaction. These results suggest that cultural differences in the way people perceive subjective questions about satisfaction make simple cross-country comparison misleading.

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TIIVISTELMÄTutkimuksessa tarkastellaan työmarkkinoiden vaihtuvuuden vaikutuksia työntekijöiden hyvinvointiin. Aineistona käytetään yhdistettyä aineistoa, jossa on tietoja sekä työntekijöiden subjektiivisesta hyvinvoinnista että työmarkkinoiden vaihtuvuudesta rekisteriaineistosta. Tutkimuksessa arvioidaan ns. kompensoivia palkkaeroja selittämällä palkkoja ja työtyytyväisyyttä käyttäen indikaattoria sellaisille toimipaikoille, joissa on ollut korkea ylimääräinen työntekijöiden vaihtuvuus edellisten vuosien aikana. Tulokset tukevat kompensoivien palkkaerojen olemassaoloa, koska epävarmuus kasvattaa palkkoja, mutta sillä ei ole vaikutusta työtyytyväisyyteen. ABSTRACTWe examine the effects of establishment-and industry-level labor market turnover on employees' well-being. The linked employer-employee panel data contain both survey information on employees' subjective well-being and comprehensive register-based information on job and worker flows. Labor market turbulence decreases well-being as experienced job satisfaction and satisfaction with job security are negatively related to the previous year's flows. We test for the existence of compensating wage differentials by explaining wages and job satisfaction with average uncertainties, measured by an indicator for a high moving average of past excessive turnover (churning) rate. The results are consistent with compensating wage differentials, since high uncertainty increases real wages, but has no effect on job satisfaction.JEL classification: J28, J31, J63

In this paper we examine whether health status and functional capacity explain the fact that obese individuals report significantly lower levels of subjective well-being. We use comprehensive measures of body composition such as waist circumference, body fat percentage, and lean body mass along with body mass index. All these are measured by health professionals in a population-based sample. When controlling for health and functional status, we find very limited evidence for any independent influence of obesity on subjective well-being. This implies that the adverse effects of obesity on health and functioning are the primary explanation for the observed negative relationship between obesity and subjective well-being.