Pros
-Easy to take time off (except for weekend staff) -Supportive network of colleagues among frontline workers -Valuable clinical experience -Stability of state organization -Pension for vested employees -Onsite LCSW supervision (main campus)
Cons
-Large institution where change is very slow -Disconnected department management does not align with values and message from executive leadership -Failure to provide a safe, supportive space for POC to share their experiences of racism and inequality -Explicit gaslighting of social workers’ concerns and feedback, fostering mistrust in the department -Reduced support for social workers’ self care needs at the expense of rising patient needs -Blacklisting workers when they speak out with their concerns despite the “open door policy” -High turnover rate of workforce Overall, this does not feel like a psychologically safe place to work within the social work department. The majority of support comes from peers, who are also stretched thin without relief. It is unfortunate that the management, who are also social workers by training, do not show the level of empathy for their staff that they would insist upon when working with patients. The frontline social workers are doing their best given the limitations of support they have been provided, but it often feels like it is never enough as management continues to raise expectations without an end in sight. Morale is low, and you can feel the tension during staff meetings. No one speaks up anymore with concerns, because everyone is tired and beaten down psychologically. We have lost our diversity as many of our diverse staff have gone within the last year. Management is fostering a department of workers who are silently compliant, which is to their advantage when voicing concerns just creates more trouble for everyone. They are holding the line of forever moving forward, never pausing long enough to take stock of the battlefield around them and how many of their comrades have fallen.