A study of differences in men's and women's information, collegial, and special
organizational peer relationships was conducted on a large, diverse sample
(n = 666) in order to explore whether (1) work friendships tended to be same- or
cross-sex and (2) whether same-sex work relationships had features and func
tions similar to nonwork same-sex relationships. Results were generally sup
portive of findings outside the organizational context for men's and women's
relationships, but several interesting patterns were noted across relationship
types that suggest different relational trajectories for men's and women's rela
tionships. Specifically, the number of relationships claimed by men and women
were similar, but women's collegial relationships were higher on several rela
tional functions than men's, and women's special peer relationships were
stronger than men's in several areas. This study shows that the work setting as a
context is, for friendship purposes, similar to nonwork contexts.
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