Mens & Maatschappij - Volume 95, Issue 4, 2020

Teleworking and innovation: It isn’t the working place that matters

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, teleworking (working from home) attracts a lot of attention. While some tasks and vital occupations are not suitable for working from home, a substantional part of the Dutch labour force is teleworking, which seems to reflect demands and preferences among most workers. However, some employers are hesitant to allow teleworking, because they fear innovation may suffer from teleworking. In this study, we use a recent dataset on 865 employers in the Netherlands and show that innovation is not hampered by teleworking.

Prior research showed us that ex-convicts often experience difficulties obtaining legal employment. Yet, employment is especially salient for ex-convicts as employment is related to lower recidivism rates. Therefore, a better understanding of the employment opportunities of ex-convicts is important for society. The current study uses a field experiment to gain insight into the employment opportunities of this group. A total of 1174 application letters and cv’s were sent to potential employers. All potential employers received two applications: one mentioned a conviction and one did not mention a conviction. The two applicants only differed on their conviction, they had similar qualifications, had the same gender and ethnical background. The results showed that employers overall were consistent in their reaction towards individuals with identical qualifications. For women, a conviction showed to have significant influence on the employers’ reaction. In general, applicants with a non-western minority background received less positive reactions regardless the criminal record. These results seem to imply a multiple stigma for ex-convicts. Being a woman and having a non-wester minority background can result in diminished employment opportunities.

An evaluation of the criminal justice system: The role of emotion and orientation dispositions

The current research aims to investigate the relation between different dispositions and the evaluation of the criminal justice system. Using a sample of 682 members of the LISS panel, consisting of a representative cross-section of the Dutch population, we looked at the role of the emotion dispositions empathy, anger and worry/anxiety, and the orientation dispositions retributive orientation, and the belief in a just world. The evaluation of the criminal justice system consisted of questions aimed at the criminal justice system in general, and punitiveness and victim compensation specifically. Especially the orientation dispositions played a role in the evaluation of the criminal justice system. The results are discussed in the context of the legitimacy of the criminal justice system.