separates individuals across social settings. Workplaces, as key hubs of
potential sites for cross-cutting social ties. Yet workplace segregation
can exacerbate inequality and weaken social cohesion. Existing research
statuses. Social class origin is one such case: it is harder for
the population level. In this paper, we analyze workplace segregation by
social class origin...
Segregation is a pervasive social phenomenon that
separates individuals across social settings. Workplaces, as key hubs of
the labor market, are not only central to economic outcomes but also
potential sites for cross-cutting social ties. Yet workplace segregation
can exacerbate inequality and weaken social cohesion. Existing research
has largely examined highly visible categories such as race and
ethnicity, while much less is known about segregation by subtler
statuses. Social class origin is one such case: it is harder for
individuals to observe in interaction and more difficult to measure at
the population level. In this paper, we analyze workplace segregation by
social class origin using Swedish register data from 2012. We find
substantial segregation by social origin, well above what would be
expected if employees were randomly allocated across workplaces.
Segregation also persists beyond what can be explained by individual and
workplace characteristics such as education, occupation, or region.
Even after adjusting for our richest set of covariates, employees remain
somewhat overexposed to coworkers who share their class origin.
Notably, excess segregation is smallest among workers from the lowest
origins and largest among those from the highest.
Being
the hub of the labor market, the workplace is central to accessing
labor market rewards by providing employment, job ladders, and wages.
Research demonstrates that workplace segregation structures substantial
portions of earnings inequality. But the workplace is also a potential
facilitator of social interactions, providing a setting where
individuals from diverse social backgrounds encounter one another. It
may enforce social interaction, influence social cohesion, the formation
of political attitudes, and therefore shape broader patterns of
inequality and social integration.
(Less)
@article{904e42b1-f3e0-4347-beb9-cb735556bcdf,
abstract = {{<div>Segregation is a pervasive social phenomenon that <br>
separates individuals across social settings. Workplaces, as key hubs of<br>
the labor market, are not only central to economic outcomes but also <br>
potential sites for cross-cutting social ties. Yet workplace segregation<br>
can exacerbate inequality and weaken social cohesion. Existing research<br>
has largely examined highly visible categories such as race and <br>
ethnicity, while much less is known about segregation by subtler <br>
statuses. Social class origin is one such case: it is harder for <br>
individuals to observe in interaction and more difficult to measure at <br>
the population level. In this paper, we analyze workplace segregation by<br>
social class origin using Swedish register data from 2012. We find <br>
substantial segregation by social origin, well above what would be <br>
expected if employees were randomly allocated across workplaces. <br>
Segregation also persists beyond what can be explained by individual and<br>
workplace characteristics such as education, occupation, or region. <br>
Even after adjusting for our richest set of covariates, employees remain<br>
somewhat overexposed to coworkers who share their class origin. <br>
Notably, excess segregation is smallest among workers from the lowest <br>
origins and largest among those from the highest.</div><div>Being<br>
the hub of the labor market, the workplace is central to accessing <br>
labor market rewards by providing employment, job ladders, and wages. <br>
Research demonstrates that workplace segregation structures substantial <br>
portions of earnings inequality. But the workplace is also a potential <br>
facilitator of social interactions, providing a setting where <br>
individuals from diverse social backgrounds encounter one another. It <br>
may enforce social interaction, influence social cohesion, the formation<br>
of political attitudes, and therefore shape broader patterns of <br>
inequality and social integration.</div>}},
author = {{Hällsten, Martin and Torngren Wartin, August}},
issn = {{1552-8464}},
language = {{eng}},
month = {{05}},
publisher = {{SAGE Publications}},
series = {{Work and Occupations}},
title = {{Started From the Bottom, Now We’re (Working) Here: : Workplace Segregation by Social Class Origin}},
url = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/07308884261445024}},
doi = {{10.1177/07308884261445024}},
year = {{2026}},
}
(2026)
In Work and Occupations