Causation

Paying a Wage Above the Reservation Wage to Incentivize Effort

While offering a wage equal to a worker's reservation wage is sufficient for recruitment, it does not guarantee effort. To motivate employees to work hard, firms typically pay a wage premium—an amount above the reservation wage. This strategy ensures that the worker has something to lose, as being fired for shirking would mean they could not be certain of finding another job with the same favorable wage and conditions. This potential loss creates a powerful incentive for diligent performance.

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Updated 2026-05-02

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