This is shown by an online survey by the Chamber of Labor (AK), in which more than 4,000 people took part. The majority also stated that they work more than was agreed in their contract. “Regular overtime is the norm,” explained Kurt Schalek from the AK Vienna, calling for a “professional law for social work.” There are currently around 43,000 people working in the sector.
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Overall, the staffing situation is tense and overtime is a major problem. Over 60 percent of those surveyed regularly work more than is agreed in their employment contract. The proportion of part-time employees in the sector is also comparatively high. The figure for social work is 65 percent, while in Austria in general it is only around 30 percent. Schalek cites the gender ratio as the main reason for this difference – social work is a “women’s profession”. More than three quarters of employees are female, and the part-time rate for women is significantly higher than for men. An improvement in the “structural framework” is therefore also necessary in order to make full-time employment more compatible with aspects such as care responsibilities.
No clear and uniform regulation
Unlike in the areas of nursing or psychotherapy, there is currently no clear and uniform regulation for the skills and requirements for social workers or social educators. A “professional law” is needed, explained Julia Pollak, managing director of the Austrian Professional Association of Social Workers (obds): “It is actually a legal loophole” that must be closed by the next federal government. Schalek also hopes for a solution soon, as the parliamentary parties are not opposed in principle. A professional law was also part of the government program of the current coalition between the ÖVP and the Greens, but was not implemented.
There is also a “massive imbalance” in training, said Pollak. She calls for high-quality mandatory internships in training to introduce people to the profession more quickly. At the same time, however, a better financial basis must be created – for participating institutions and interns. There is still a lot to be done in the industry, and the “fragmentation of responsibilities and federalism” are “certainly not conducive” to this.
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The Epidemic of Overtime in Social Work Settings: An Alarming Reality
Social workers are the backbone of our society, providing vital support to vulnerable populations. However, a growing concern has emerged in recent years: the staggering amount of overtime they work without compensation. This article delves into the alarming reality of overtime in social work settings, its impact on workers, and the need for change.
The Prevalence of Overtime in Social Work
According to an online survey by the Chamber of Labor (AK), more than 4,000 people participated, and the majority stated that they work more than was agreed in their contract. ”Regular overtime is the norm,” explained Kurt Schalek from the AK Vienna, calling for a “professional law for social work” [[1]]. The UK-based report by Bath Spa University revealed that social workers are working £644,736,000 worth of unpaid overtime every year [[2]]. These statistics paint a dire picture of the social work sector, where workers are sacrificing their personal lives to keep up with the demands of their jobs.
The Consequences of Overtime on Social Workers
Working excessive hours without compensation takes a significant toll on social workers’ physical and mental well-being. Chronic fatigue, stress, and burnout are common consequences of prolonged periods of overtime. In a Reddit thread, a social worker shared that they log in a minimum of 10-15 hours of overtime per week, with no work-life balance in sight [[3]]. This is not an isolated incident; many social workers face similar circumstances, leading to decreased job satisfaction, turnover intentions, and compromised service quality.
The Need for Change: Toward a Sustainable Social Work Model
The current state of overtime in social work settings is unsustainable and unjust. It is essential to recognize the value of social workers’ time and labor, and ensure that they are compensated fairly for their efforts. Steps can be taken to address this issue, such as:
- Fair Compensation: Implementing fair pay structures that account for overtime worked, ensuring social workers are not sacrificing their personal lives for the sake of their job.
- Workload Management: Implementing effective
