SSE – 110Introduction to Social

Welfare and Social Work

Chapter 11Work Related Problems and

Social in the Work Place

A Brief History of Work Today work is held in high esteem. Years ago work was considered drudgery /

curse. Today work is dominated by the

Protestant Work Ethic. Max Weber and the Protestant Ethic

(German Sociologist who wrote a famous book) Capitalism was encouraged – see exhibit 11.1.

Work has immense effects on self concept.

Trends in the American Workplace

Increase in White-Collar Workers (in 1900 27% of workers were farm workers. In 2000 only 2% were farmers.) White collar workers were 18% in 1900. In 2000 the number was 60%.

Emergent of an Employee Society (less likely to be self employed).

Even physicians are less self employed. Specialization (in 1850 there were 323 job

titles. Today there are 22,000 job titles. Changes in the sex and age in the labor

force (less older males, more females).

Trends in the American Workplace

Emphasis on Intrinsic Rewards (rewards from the work itself).

Emphasis on high technology (without the skills you are trapped in lower paying positions).

The growth of low paying jobs. Outsourcing in a global factory (pursue

business in a foreign country).

Problems in the Work Setting

Alienation (no meaningful connection with the work).

Present sources of alienation:a. specializationb. automationc. few opportunities to learnd. dissatisfaction with one’s job

Confronting Alienation and Job Dissatisfaction

See case example 11.2 (Hawthorne Effect). Once told you are a part of a study that alone may influence the results of the study.

See page 365 – Ways to Improve Job Satisfaction (i.e.; profit sharing).

Quality circle (see page 364).

Unemployment The cost of unemployment. See case example 11.3. Who are the unemployed? The unemployment rate is usually between 4% and

11%. High unemployment groups:

a. Persons of color (African Americans and Latinos)

b. Teenagersc. Women

d. Older workerse. The unskilled, & semiskilledf. Persons with disabilities

Unemployment Reasons for the high unemployment rate. See pages 368 - 369.

Factors that Reduce Unemployment War Consumers buy more Development of new products opens up

new jobs

Confronting Unemployment

The ideal way to overcome unemployment is through increased economic growth.

The Government is a “last resort” employer. The Government would subsidize private

companies.

Occupational Health Hazards On the job accidents Work-related illness Job stress

Social Work in the Workplace

1800’s – there was a welfare movement in America business.

By 1926, 80% of the 1,500 largest companies had at least one type of welfare program for employees.

EAP programs

The Present Status of Social Work in the Workplace

Employee Assistance Programs Alcohol Abuse Counseling Counseling for Emotional Difficulties Family Counseling Career Counseling and Education Retirement Planning Credit Counseling