Working in the public sector : a case study of social services

Coffey, M; Dugdill, L; Tattersall, A

Abstract

Summary: This article explores working conditions and quality of life in social services. The article focuses on the qualitative findings generated throughout a phased study comprising: in-depth interviews (n = 8) used to develop an original questionnaire; a large survey (n = 1237) of staff in two social service departments in the UK; and focus groups (n = 4) used in Children and Families Division to develop a better understanding of the difficulties experienced and develop context-specific interventions aimed at reducing or eliminating these stressors. It also reports quantitative findings in respect stress (measured using the General Health Questionnaire – GHQ-12).
Findings: The survey findings indicated that 36 percent (n = 392) of the respondents were considered to be suffering from mental distress. Children and Families Division was worst affected, reporting the highest levels of absenteeism and poorest well-being. The qualitative findings were summarized into five broad themes: organizational culture and function; control; lack of resources; responsibility for people; and the rate and pace of change, which were incorporated into a model.
Application: The article suggests that during times of change a thorough understanding of working conditions in the public sector are a fundamental prerequisite to developing interventions aimed at improving them. Additionally, the model clearly identifies a number of factors that are‘organizational’, rather than being intrinsic to working in social services.

Citation

Coffey, M., Dugdill, L., & Tattersall, A. (2009). Working in the public sector : a case study of social services. Journal of Social Work, 9(4), 1-23. https://doi.org/10.1177/1468017309342177

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Aug 1, 2009
• Deposit Date: Feb 26, 2010
• Journal: Journal of Social Work
• Print ISSN: 1468-0173
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 9
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 1-23
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1468017309342177
• Keywords: public sector social work stress workforce working; conditions
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1468017309342177