Chapter 15 Social Work and Self Care

Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing

Chapter 15: Social Work in the Workplace

Empowering Programs with Resourcesthat Enhance Social Work Education


Social Work: A Competency-Oriented Education

Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)

- Defines Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAs)

- Developed 10 “Core Competencies” and 41 Related “Practice Behaviors”

Every student should master the Practice Behaviors and Core Competencies before completing the program


Resources Aligned to EPAS 2008

The Textbook –

- “Helping Hands” icons call attention to content that relates to Practice Behaviors and Competencies

- “Competency Notes” at the end of the chapter help put the Practice Behaviors and Competencies in practical context


Resources Aligned to EPAS 2008 (cont’d)

The Practice Behaviors Workbook developed

with the text provides assignable exercises that assist in mastering the Practice Behavior and Competencies

Additional on-line resources can be found at: www.cengage.com/socialwork



Historical perspective• Society in most Western countries based on

Protestant work ethic (work is an expectation of

God and laziness is sinful)• Men worked; women maintained families• Until the 1970s, this pattern changed only during

wartime

EP 2.1.3a


Historical perspective (cont’d)

• In recent years, much has changed• Large numbers of women are now working,

including those with children• Workplaces are more diverse• Types of jobs available• Employees have different expectations about work

EP 2.1.3a

Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing.

Historical perspective (cont’d)

• Workers expect more from the workplace than just

a paycheck• Many workers put other priorities ahead of their

jobs• The relationship between work and family life is a

critical policy issue

EP 2.1.3a


Current workforce• Women hold nearly half of nation’s jobs• More single-parents (usually women) • Explosive growth of service industry• Historical gender wage gap persists

EP 2.1.1a, 2.1.3a, 2.1.8a


Emerging issues• Expanded child-care options• Greater ethnic diversity within the workforce• Two-career families less willing to relocate• Pay equity for men and women• An older workforce• More family-friendly workplace policies • Fewer total hours per week per employee• Types of jobs available

EP 2.1.1a, 2.1.3a, 2.1.8a


Emerging Issues (cont’d)• Restructuring of private benefit policies to more

accurately reflect workforce composition • Standardization of health care and other benefits

EP 2.1.1a, 2.1.3a, 2.1.8a


Changing nature of work• Emphasis on innovation and flexibility• Streamlining of operations• Cross-functional work teams• Being responsible for one’s own career• Adding value across the organization• Decline in product development cycles

EP 2.1.1a, 2.1.8a


Changing nature of work (cont’d)• Faster is better• Traditional benefits replaced by a menu of benefits• Use of contract labor and outsourcing• Employee entitlements no longer exist

EP 2.1.1a, 2.1.8a


Impact of changes on employees

and their families• Balancing work and family life• Increased stress• Relocation• Financial problems• Accidents and other occupational hazards

EP 2.1.1a, 2.1.3a, 2.1.8a


Impact of changes on employees

and their families (cont’d)• Violence in the workplace• Sexual harassment• Childcare for working parents• Family care giving

EP 2.1.1a, 2.1.8a


Impact of changes on the workplace• Costs of substance abuse• Other problems that cost employers• Increased health care costs• Decline in health care coverage• Increased demands on employers• Decline in productivity

EP 2.1.1a, 2.1.8a


Addressing Work and Family Issues• Employee assistance programs • Dependent care programs• Flextime• Job sharing• Flexi-place

EP 2.1.8a, 2.1.9b


Social work in the workplace

• Social secretary/welfare manager• Oversee physical welfare, cultural welfare,

economic welfare, and personal welfare• Scientific management of the workplace focus on

efficiency

EP 2.1.1a, 2.1.9b


Occupational Social WorkSocial workers play a major role in strengthening

relationships among individuals, families, and

workplaces

EP 2.1.1a, 2.1.9b


Occupational Social Work Service Models• Employee service model• Consumer service model• Corporate social responsibility model

EP 2.1.8a


The occupational social worker• Provides information and referral• Conducts short-term counseling• Provides specialized emergency services• Identifies and addresses the needs of special

populations• Addresses issues such as workplace violence

• Addresses issues of workplace health and safety

EP 2.1.1a, 2.1.9b


The occupational social worker (cont’d)• Minimizes problems encountered by part-time and

temporary employees• Assists workers in accessing vocational and

educational opportunities

EP 2.1.1a, 2.1.9b