Searching for high-paid, stable jobs: A comparative analysis of Britain and France

In this article, we examine firms’ provision of high-paid, stable jobs using linked employer-employee data from Britain and France. Such jobs are more prevalent in France but share common features in both countries: they are concentrated in larger, long-established workplaces with higher proportions of middle-aged, qualified male employees, and are supported by human resource practices that promote skill development, internal mobility and employee voice. These consistent features suggest a distinct employment model. However, differences in their prevalence and form across countries highlight the role of national institutions in shaping these employment practices.