COMMUNICATION - The Backward-Sloping Supply Curve..

The article comments on the research paper by professor Harold Vatter published in an issue of the journal "Industrial and Labor Relations Review" which argues that three neglected influences on hours of work have impaired the conceptual validity of the short-run, backward-sloping supply curve of labor, at least for operationally significant wage levels in the U.S. economy. Overtime rates implies a much weaker income effect than straight-time rates, therefore the willingness to work longer hours for an overtime premium is perfectly consistent with a preference for shorter hours at higher straight-time rates.