Why Social Solidarity at Work Increased Following COVID Stay-at-Home*

Abstract

Sociological theories argue that social solidarity can be based on complementary differences that lead to bonds through exchange, and on shared similarities that engender bonds from commonality. Studies of social solidarity in modern life, especially within formal organizations, typically emphasize the importance of the first of these: exchange-based solidarity. While solidarity from shared similarities is often discussed, it is less often identified empirically - especially within formal organizations. This study investigates commonality-based social solidarity at work, taking advantage of an exogenous shock: the 2020 Covid-19 Coronavirus outbreak and resulting stay-at-home order in California, which occurred unexpectedly during a study we were conducting on social solidarity at work. The data reveal increases in social solidarity at work following the stay-at-home order - especially among those with lower social solidarity at work to begin with. Diff-in-diff models show that nonwhites, those without families, and higher-ranking employees each saw larger increases in social solidarity at work in the wake of the shared experience. By contrast, those with more work-related ties enjoyed higher social solidarity at work prior to the shock, evidence of the importance of exchange-based solidarity among these workers. But after the stay-at-home order, churn in these ties decreased social solidarity at work for these workers. Our results imply a levelling effect when social solidarity is based on commonality, and that for this form of solidarity individuals need not actually be at work to enjoy social solidarity at work.