In labor economics, the reservation wage is the lowest wage rate at which a worker would be willing to accept a particular type of job. This wage is a theoretical representation of the hourly rate at which an individual values their own leisure time. A job offer involving the same type of work and the same working conditions, but at a lower wage rate, would be rejected by the worker. In this case, based on the reservation wage theory, the individual would be better off not working as they value their leisure at a higher rate than the wage they would receive for working.