Violence in the social work workplace

Abstract

There is a growing literature on client violence against social workers. Studies conducted in the UK, the USA and Canada have provided data on the nature and prevalence of clients' violence against social workers, on the psychological impact of violence against social workers, on the type of client most likely to initiate violence and on the types of settings and situations in which client violence is most likely to occur (Astor et al.. To date, however, comparatively few studies have examined social workers' experiences and concerns about client violence and workplace safety.The research that has been done on social workers' attitudes about workplace safety and the efficacy of measures used to deal with workplace violence has occurred mainly in the USA. However, the data in these US studies have been drawn from disparate samples and have yielded mixed findings. In one survey study of social workers conducted in Nevada, Rey (1996) found that 82 percent of respondents were concerned about client violence.

When Social Workers Are Stalked: Risks, Strategies, and Legal Protections

“…However, the design of this study does not allow for generalization of this rate to all mental health nurses (Ashmore et al 2006). As noted earlier, a survey of 171 social workers found that 16.3% reported being stalked at some point in their careers (MacDonald and Sirotich 2005). While methodological issues, including self-selection bias of some of the survey studies, may account for variable rates of stalking reported, clearly this is an issue of significant concern for all mental health practitioners.…”

“…A Canadian random survey of 171 social workers found that 16.3% reported being stalked at some point in their careers (MacDonald and Sirotich 2005). Other surveys while not specifically addressing stalking behavior, report high rates of threats and actual harm to social workers by clients (MacDonald and Sirotich 2001;Newhill 1996;Rey 1996;Regehr et al 2004).…”

Profession and Workplace Expectations of Social Workers: Implications for Social Worker Subjective Well-Being

“…Social workers are expected to work in adverse situations and be able to functionally provide necessary services to client populations and communities. For instance, some social workers have to practice in situations where physical violence and emotional fatigue are common outcomes of any given day of practice (Macdonald & Sirotich, 2005;Smith, 2006Smith, , 2007. All of these factors, and the inadequate salaries they are forced to accept, bear heavily on practitioners' SWB.…”

“…In addition to coping with the negative effects of therapy work (Linley & Joseph, 2007), fending off compassion fatigue, burnout and vicarious trauma from exposure to their clients' tremendously stressful experiences (Jenkins & Baird, 2002;Kim & Stoner, 2008) and facing elements of risk and danger including actual and threatened violence (Macdonald & Sirotich, 2005;Smith, 2006Smith, , 2007, social workers must also try to meet their own objectives and manage the expectations they and others have about their work settings. Understanding the complex pressures and effects of social work professional expectations on social worker well-being is crucial in developing more successful methods of social worker recruitment and retention, education and practice (Stevens et al, 2012).…”

Workplace Violence and the Duration of Workers’ Compensation Claims

“…MacDonald and Sirotich (2005) collected data on Canadian social workers' experiences with workplace violence. Their data indicated that about 56.1 percent of the sample was verbally harassed and 19.6 percent had been threatened with physical harm over the last two years.…”