Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: Longer work hours and increasing job demands have raised questions about the extent to which the workplace constitutes a context for socializing and obtaining informal social support. Using data from the 500 Family Study we find that frequent socializing at work is not related to informal social support. Results from Hierarchical Linear Modeling analyses further indicate that the role of socializing at the workplace differs by gender, suggesting that unlike men, women do not convert feelings of sociability into strategic action that promotes their professional interests. Policy implications are discussed, especially the need of organizations to establish formal support mechanisms for workers.