After having described the informal networks at work four theories are tested. These are theories on emotional attraction between similar people, effects of restrictions, networks as social capital, and conflicts of interests between management and employees. In total 728 respondents do have a job. Colleagues are important in work related matters, but not for other things. People seldom turn to family, friends and neighbours in work related matters.
Colleagues sometimes discuss their personal problems, though usually co-worker ties are weak.
Yet, those who have a part-time job demonstrate more social activities at the job. Time pressure because of being married or having young children at home does lead to less contact with direct colleagues. As expected, functional interdependencies at work and good relations among one's colleagues have a positive influence on one's own informal ties to colleagues. Conditions that make a person more attractive as a social resource, like having a higher education or a shared future, also enhance informal relations between co-workers. Women in spite that they seem to have a choice to be worker or a 'homemaker', do not have fewer or less good relations at work.