Apathy

It's the feeling I try to deny and reject when it comes.  But I can still feel it, lingering under my mask of hopefulness.

So why does apathy come?  Apathy can be a result of an unfavourable decision which you cannot rise above or to an unfavourable situation which you have no control over.  Apathy means the loss of emotional connection to a particular person, organisation or the world.  Apathy overall has a lifeless feeling - like you don't care either way what happens because you have no personal investment to it whatsoever.

I have seen apathy in the social work field when bad things happen to good people and the workers don't care.  Or else the worker has seen so much trauma or horror in a child or family's life that they doubt they can make any difference so they barely try.

To me, the only way you can overcome apathy is to face your fears.  Become concerned with the world again (even if it's just your small part of it), become emotionally involved knowing that your feelings could get hurt, and get interested in your work again by finding new ways to connect with it.

As easy as it is, try not to dwell on the negatives.  As I've learnt they can slowly etch into every aspect of your life until you feel trapped.

No one else has control over our lives except ourselves.  So take the greatest fear that you have and hit it head on.  Hopefully then your moral, emotional and physical paralysis will be smashed!

The Childfree Social Worker

I realise this might be a sensitive topic to some including those who have infertility problems or whose partners do not want to have children.  However, I am in neither position so I can only give the viewpoint which is my own.

First, while a social work student I noticed many of my professors who had worked with children but did not have kids of their own - yet many were in long term relationships with a significant other.  At first I was surprised, how could people who loved to help children not have any of their own?

However, as I began to get involved with the nitty gritty of social work I realised how much of myself I had to give for my job and how jaded I was slowly becoming.  Crises and extreme situations began to be my norm and I realised if I was to have a child of my own it would take a conscious effort not to bring my work home with me.  But I also wondered, how do you have anything left to give to others after you've given, given, given at work all day?

Yet, at the beginning of my social work career I continued to be hopeful that one day I would have children.  If not with a partner (which I always considered risky), then I could look at other options.  However, having my own children biologically never really appealed to me and the process of adoption seemed intrusive.  I went back and forth though between international and domestic adoption but I realised the expenses would be too much for me if I adopted outside the country.  Then there was adopting through the foster care system.  Some colleagues were supportive while others thought that it would be very risky given many of these children's pasts.  But I remained convinced that because of my educational and work experience I had additional tools that many potential adoptive parents do not have.  Then again, I was still hoping for a child not tremendously affected by their past experiences (which I know is rare). 

At some point after thinking about adoption for several years I finally decided I was ready.  But it's funny how life can get in the way right when you are about to make a big decision.  As a result of some serious life events the concept of adoption had to be put on hold for me.  I was devastated.  All that preparing, weighing the pros and cons, reading about adoption and looking at discussion boards was - I don't even know what word to use.  I don't want to say it was a mistake since I learnt a lot of useful information but now it seemed in a way irrelevant.

As I slowly began to get my life on track again I did a lot of soul searching about many areas of my life.  I looked at the types of social work jobs I had in the past and which aspects of those jobs worked, and which didn't.  I also thought about the type of future I wanted, how busy I wanted to be and how much peace and quiet I wanted in my life.  Also, I began to realise how busy Bella kept me - either taking her for daily walks, cleaning up after her occasional messes, having to constantly get up when she barks because she wants a toy that is out of reach or she hears something outside, and needing to wake up in the middle of the night when she has to go to the bathroom.  In a word, sometimes taking care of Bella is exhausting and I can't even image how much more busier I would be if I had a child.  Taking them to activities, attending school meetings, helping with homework, preparing several healthy meals a day and spending a lot of time with them when they are sick, needy or just want my attention.  Sigh.  It was then that I came to the realisation that although I enjoy spending time with kids and I like being a role model to them, I think I actually loved the concept of having a child more than actually wanting to raise my own child.  

Ouch, ouch, ouch.  So there went all my planning out the window, my hopes for a future with a child.  But I have to be honest with myself - I am not ready for a child now and I may never be willing to make the sacrifices necessary to be a good mother.  I am a perfectionist so whatever job I need to tackle, I have to do my best at it no matter what.  But I know that deep down, I do not have the energy and patience it takes to raise a child until they are eighteen.  I enjoy my naps and doing what I want to do when I want to do it.  I also like having my own money and spending it on what I want and only cleaning up after myself.  I like the idea of being able to move on a whim without being concerned that it would be hard on my child.  Also, on very busy days with Bella I sometimes long for the days when I was pet-free, however she does enrich my life and I am less lonely now than before I got her.  It's a trade off but I think having a dog is about as much responsibility I can have right now over another living creature.

Is this easy to accept for me?  Not always.  It's hard giving up a dream even if you know it was the best decision to make.  I think what really nailed it for me was when I had big changes in my life that I had to deal with and I learnt finally that I needed to put my own needs first.  For many years I was so focused on helping others that I would often neglect myself.  Now working on my own self-awareness is my new goal and I can't believe how much I am learning about myself.  This wouldn't have been very likely if I had a child in my life since it's hard to find time just for yourself when you are a parent.  I now try and focus on new possibilities for my life even if they don't include having children.  That could mean volunteering, taking more adventurous trips or continuing to work on my writing.  All I know is that this situation has been made easier by my family who have never pressured me for grandchildren.  And I want to thank them for that, because it's made making this decision easier.

In closing all I can say is that this is a very individual and personal choice that one has to make at some point in their life.  It is not easy and the decision can be swayed by the type of career you have, which was the case for me.  But even if you decide not to have children, know that you are making a difference everyday in the lives of others with the work that you do.

Taking Risks and Making the Leap

I really enjoy this picture.  The woman dives backwards into the beautiful blue water below without even looking down at it.  She has all the faith in the world that the water will meet her when she lands.  In the meantime, she strikes a confident pose as she journeys towards her goal: to dive safely into the water.

I don't think I would look that graceful if you asked me to jump off a diving board.  First, I've never done it and second it would require me to wear a sleek one piece bathing suit - gulp! 

But I imagine this woman felt pretty good when she landed.  She probably felt proud for taking the leap.  She probably also felt a surge of adrenaline when she reached the target.

And that's what taking risks is all about: having an identified goal, preparing for the journey and then making the leap hoping that you will make it to your target point safely.

Some people find taking risks easier than others.  When I was younger I found it extremely difficult because it meant leaving the safety of the known.  I guess in a way even studying social work was a risk since I had limited experience with the field and it required leaving my family while I went to university.  I didn't know one hundred percent how I would feel about the course work, professors or city.  Yet, it all worked out because I was determined to succeed at my degree and I was willing to overcome almost any obstacle because I had already journeyed so far to start my new life.  But for all the hope I had I should have done more research about the school I attended, the types of courses that were offered and the reputation of the city.  It was pure luck that it turned out so well and now I've learnt after making some significant mistakes that you really have to look at all your options before making the leap.

Social work is such a broad field.  There are so many different types of clients you can have, or not have depending on whether or not you do direct practise.  Then you can work in a large city centre or a small town, or for a profit or non-profit agency.  There so many choices depending on each person's preference.  So how and when do you know you should make the leap to a new area or your first area of social work if you are just starting out?

Before making the leap I would suggest asking yourself these questions:

• What do you know about that particular area of social work?  Are there volunteer experiences available at the agency, or can you speak to any current or former employees who have been in that field?
• What are the potential gains of working in that area, such as personal fulfilment, financial rewards etc.  If the pay is not so great is it worth making the leap even if it means you will have to live on a strict budget?
• In regards to your career goals will it take you on a totally new path and does that give you a sense of excitement and hope?  Or does it make you feel extremely nervous and depressed?  If so, this may not be the right time to make your move or it may not be the right area for you.
• What do your family and close friends think of your potential decision?  Do they think you are crazy, an idealist, or a realist?  How do their opinions make you feel?  Self-conscious and uncertain, or unfazed and determined?
• What do you know about the city or town you are planning to move to?  Can you visit it before taking a job there?  Are there online resources you can look at to give you more information about your potential new home?
• How will you feel if your decision fails?  Devastated, inconsolable?  Or convinced that you learnt something from the experience and are better for it?

As I get older I realise that there is less I have to lose when taking risks.  Since I am single I have no partner or children to be concerned or upset if we end up moving or if I take a job with drastically different hours.  I also realise that I am less concerned with other people's opinions and that no one can tell me what chances I need to take but myself.  By willing to be open to risks I have many more opportunities available to me although they do need to be thought out carefully.  That is where taking risks hurt me in the past - I would often dive in without thinking of the personal consequences.  Could I really live with this job?  Or was I so happy that I got an offer that I did not think about the actual job responsibilities and if they actually matched with my values?

Before taking risks seemed scary to me but I know now I can survive moves, challenging social work jobs and being away from my family.  Now risks feel more like calculated adventures whereby the pros and cons are weighed before I ultimately make the leap into the unknown.

Finding Peace

Like many people, I struggle with finding peace from time to time. It usually works like this: I feel peaceful about how things are going at my job but on the personal side, my life could use a little work. Or else things are going great in my personal life but I am at a crossroads about work. It seems I can never have both.

It takes a lot of time and effort to find peace in our lives. First, we have to learn that it does not come from an eternal source - having a high status job, awesome boyfriend or perfect home. No, it comes from within and we find it when we develop our own sense of integrity, honesty and genuineness. It means finding happiness within ourselves and with who we intrinsically are.

For some, it can take years to discover this while for others they may never obtain it in their lifetime. To create that balance we must constantly re-evaluate our decisions to ensure they mesh with our values. This isn't so easy if you're in the field of social work. We are consistently faced with having to make tough decisions that in a perfect world we would not make. It's hard hurting people when all you want to do is help them. We can blame the system but really we are the administrators of the policies and programs. Overall, it's a hard road no matter how you look at it.

And of course being so busy at work leaves us little opportunity in our downtime to consider the decisions we make in our personal lives. Usually, we focus on trying to maintain our personal relationships and ensure only the most necessary of tasks get done. Therefore, it takes a conscious effort to spend a little time each day, week or month to ask ourselves if we are on the right path. The path can include if we are happy with our close personal relationships, spirituality, life goals etc. If there is a nagging feeling about any of these areas than there is a good chance that it needs to be examined. We can ask ourselves what needs to change for us to feel more peaceful about it?

Of course there are always areas of our life that we would like to work on or change. But we have to accept that we will never be perfect and we will always make mistakes (even if they aren't intentional). We cannot predict the future with no matter how much planning we do, and that has been something that I have finally learnt to accept. I can hope for good things to happen in my life and do everything in my power to prepare for these opportunities but I don't know what is going to happen. All I can say is that getting to know yourself, your likes and dislikes, your strengths and weaknesses can give you peace because immediately you will know if you are on the wrong track if your actions do not match with who you really are. And you can't mould yourself to try and fit a situation (whether personal or work related) because you're not being true to yourself. This will only lead to unhappiness and misery.

From a work perspective, as I've likely mentioned before, you have to decide what overall type of social work you can live with. Some people thrive with front line duties while others, say, enjoy policy. It takes time and a lot of investigation to see where we best fit. And how you will know you are in the right place is by the feeling you get when you think about your job - are you dreading it or do you feel generally content about the work you do?

Peacefulness comes from the assertion that we are where we need to be and knowing that we have done everything in our power to make decisions that are true to ourselves. And I have all the faith in the world that if we stick to the path that is uniquely ours, than we will continue to be on the road to peace.


 

Personal Safety

One of my favourite topics is personal safety and I am known to many in the social work field to take this VERY seriously.

I believe that social workers are at particular risk of being verbally or physically assaulted due to the work we often do with dangerous and/or unstable client populations.  This could include corrections, the mentally ill, high risk teens, and those experiencing addictions issues.  These types of clients may not always have control of their actions so it is important that you think proactively so that neither you nor your client gets in trouble!

So in the most logical of terms what does this mean?  I touched upon a few of these points in previous posts.  They include:

• Before meeting with a client, especially a new one try to gain as much information as possible.  Do they suffer from any issues that may affect your personal safety or are they known to be violent?  If so, meet them at the office, with another worker or with the police.
• Always tell you supervisor and co-workers where you are if you are meeting a client outside of the office.  Give them an estimated time when you will be back and bring a fully charged cell phone with you.
• If you suspect that a client is stalking you by hanging around outside the office where you work, inform your supervisor immediately and make a plan of going to your vehicle with a co-worker at the end of the day.  Another tip would be not parking in a highly visible area so the client does not learn what vehicle you drive.  Always make a plan to arrive at work at the same time as another co-worker as well.  Also contact the police if you truly believe this client could pose serious physical harm to yourself.
• Never give clients personal information such as your phone number, your address or what neighbourhood you live in, where your family members or close friends live, or any places you frequent regularly.
• When clients ask personal questions deflect back to the situation and why you are meeting with them.  If you do not feel comfortable saying if you have children or are married then DO NOT DO SO.  It is perfectly alright to draw that line.
• When meeting with highly violent clients be conscious of wearing any objects that you could be choked with such as loose jewellery or scarves.  Try and keep a safe physical distance between yourself and the client as much as possible.
• Always sit near an exit point and ensure the client is not blocking access to any of these points.
• If you do not feel comfortable meeting with a client alone then you have the right to refuse.  Wait until another worker or police officer can attend with you.  ALWAYS listen to your instincts.
• Take personal safety courses and self defence courses to ensure that you are prepared for the worst situations.
• If you get attacked, remove yourself from the situation as soon as possible, seek medical assistance (if necessary) and inform your supervisor immediately.  Take pictures if you have any noticeable marks and contact the police.  You might also want to meet with a counsellor if you feel like you need the psychological support.

There are social work jobs that are inherently more dangerous to our personal safety than others.  Verbal abuse seems to be a common theme however no matter what social work area you work in.  Honestly ask yourself how much risk you can live with and adapt your work environment to meet your needs.  It could mean changing jobs or even changing careers if the potential risk to your physical and mental safety becomes too much.  Because sometimes you can't put a price on peace of mind.

Workers Compensation

It took me a while to write about this topic.  Why, you ask?  It is because in the past I got injured at work and had to deal with Workers Compensation.  And it takes a lot of time to get over it.

Here are some examples of what I had to deal with:

• Multiple assessments that were out of town
• Having to defend my symptoms
• Having to attend seemingly endless doctor's appointments
• Receiving offensive Workers Compensation letters whereby information was twisted
• Pressure to return to my job when I was not physically ready
• Given arbitrary dates when I "should" return to work which was not based on my family doctor's recommendations
• Diagnosis changed by Workers Compensation Medical Consultants when they had not even met with me

In general I felt that dealing with Workers Compensation was more traumatic than getting injured.  I had never dealt with Workers Compensation before and I found it a very complicated process.  I often felt like a criminal when I was actually a victim.  However, I am very thankful that I had a supportive and knowledgeable family doctor that forced me to take my symptoms seriously and did not rush me in any way to return to work before I was ready.

Another thing that helped was speaking to my Union representative who assured me I was on the right track with the process.  The Union representative also agreed to attend any future meetings with me.

I was also grateful for the support I received from co-workers that I bumped into while I was off.  They assured me that my injury was serious and that no, I should not return to work if I was not physically ready.  My injury was an isolating one because there were not a lot of obvious physical symptoms.  One of my greatest worries were that people thought I was faking my injury.  But finding discussion boards online helped me to see that many people with my condition felt the same way.  It made me feel less alone and got me through some hard times.

I know that my injury has changed me profoundly.  I do not have the energy I used to, I no longer participate in heavy physical activities and in general I am more cautious about getting hurt again.  Some of my symptoms may be permanent which in the beginning was a hard fact to deal with.  But in many ways it has made me appreciate the more important things in life like my family.  I have to consider things I never used to before to look out for my best interests and I often reject the pressure that other people want to put on me because I am more aware of my limitations.  I am no longer a superwoman but it was a wake-up call I so desperately needed.  I now make decisions based on my well-being instead of financial gains etc.

I can also no longer handle the amount of stress that I used to.  So that has made finding appropriate social work jobs fun since I have many criteria that it must fit before I even apply.  I have decided that I want to be in this field for the long haul so I don't want to burn out from a job that is above my abilities. 

Now for all of those reading this post who have gotten injured at work, you have my greatest sympathy.  It is an isolating process and overwhelming, especially when you are dealing with Workers Compensation. 

To assist those early in this process I have come up with some tips:

• Report your injury immediately to your employer and receive medical assistance as soon as possible
• Ensure that you, your doctor and your employer complete all necessary Workers Compensation documentation
• Keep records of the contact you had with your employer after your injury.  Do not make promises or give dates when you can return to work until it is confirmed by your doctor
• Seek support from your Union, a Workers Compensation advocate (not affiliated with them) or a trusted family member or friend who will ensure that your best interests are being considered and that you are not being coerced  back to work before you are ready
• Keep records of all doctor's appointments attended.  Also, attend the doctor as frequently as Workers Compensation determines since you do not want to give them a reason to cut you off for non-compliance
• Attend all assessments arranged by Workers Compensation.  If you are participating in a physical test stop when you are in pain as you do not want to make your injury worse
• Before speaking with your Workers Compensation caseworker write down what your current symptoms are and stick to them even if the caseworker questions you about them
• The Workers Compensation caseworker may try and get you to say that your symptoms are due to a previous condition before the injury.  Be honest since all your previous medical information will eventually come to light.  However, DO NOT ADMIT THIS UNLESS IT IS TRUE.  Do not let the caseworker pressure you even though it does take a toll on you emotionally
• Access counselling through work if it is available to help assist with any strong feelings about the injury, the treatment process or Workers Compensation.
• If you are given modified work, ensure with your doctor that you are working the appropriate amount of hours and are completing acceptable duties that match your current abilities
• Even though your employer and Workers Compensation will want you to return to your previous job you have to accept that you may not be able to and that is alright.  There may be some shock or sadness when you determine this but in my case it forced me to make a change that I really needed
• Apply for short term/long term disability insurance as necessary.  Ensure that you give enough time to have all paperwork completed so that you will continually receive an income.

Although my injury was an unfortunate experience it has made me stronger and less willing to compromise when it comes to my health.  To be honest, I never saw it coming and it made me realise that I am not invincible - which is another social work lesson which I had to learn!

Because of this experience I feel like I am a stronger person both physically and mentally.  I AM A SURVIVOR.  And I now know that if I can handle this difficult experience I can handle almost anything!

Self Doubt

Self doubt.  It's one of social work's dirty little secrets.

They don't tell you while you are in school that many times you will: feel inadequate that you can't keep up with the work, be there for all your clients at all times, not feel that you are totally competent in your position, have guilt when you make a mistake, and get burnt out and disappointed when you can't rise above it.

I wonder if it is the need to help others that put us in the position.  Social work is a noble calling and it attracts a lot good hearted achievers.  Many of us are selfless, determined not to give up in the most dire of circumstances and are self-critical when we can't meet the impossible standards set upon us.  We rush throughout the day making phone calls, checking emails, attending meetings and doing paperwork and it is only at the end of the day that we feel we have not accomplished very much -because there are still things left on the to do list.

To be honest, it is a system meant to fail.  There are too many responsibilities given to social workers and there is often pressure to "just get it done somehow" when we have no idea how to prioritise all the tasks that seem to be important.  There is no time left to breathe, ask questions and analyse.  Sometimes I think the answers that we are looking for would come to us if we only had a moment of quiet.  We are constantly multi-tasking until we punch out at the end of the day and we wonder why we can't relax when we get home. 

Being honest and admitting the workload is too much is not looked on well by some supervisors who are also being pressured by higher ups.  We also feel like we can't be there for our clients because of all the administrative tasks that need to be completed.  Nobody says it's ok to be overwhelmed at times, and often the majority of support comes from understanding co-workers.  However, you have to be careful who you are honest with depending on the office politics. 

Social workers are not super human, even if they would like to be or are told they should be.  They are human beings, with flaws, trying to do the best work they can.  Family members often do not understand the frustrations, nor do the public as many do not have a favourable opinion of social workers.

Then there is the group that become so disillusioned that they feel they no longer belong in this profession.  I can't tell you how many times I've thought this myself and came this close throwing in the social work towel.  But how come I didn't?  I admit my weaknesses and the situations that are above what I can handle.  So I avoid those positions as much as I can but it's a tough learning curve.  I had to figure out I was not made for front line child welfare, even if I did feel like I belonged in child welfare overall.  It takes time to figure out your place in the field where you can balance out acceptable responsibilities with challenges. 

We all feel overwhelmed at times but if you want to survive in this field you have to come to peace with the overall nature of the job.  Many things are out of your control and you just have to accept that.  Try not to take the opinions of supervisors, unsupportive co-workers and clients seriously because your worth is determined by more than your job.  And that is what social work is - a job.  If it becomes a mission in life too often will we become disappointed when we feel that we cannot live up to the high standards that we set for ourselves.

The Single Social Worker

This post might have been more appropriate for Valentine's Day but since my blog didn't exist then I will be discussing the single social worker now!

By being single, I mean living alone, or having a roommate, and not being in an ongoing relationship with a significant other.  I don't mean to exclude but since I have always been a single social worker that is the only perspective I have.

I remember when I moved across the country for my first social work job.  Many people thought I was courageous, especially when I told them I had moved alone.  That meant navigating airports, trying to find a place to live and buying a vehicle without the assistance of someone else.  Most definitely it was overwhelming since I did not have a lot of experience in any of these areas.  Looking back, I can see that I could have gotten a better deal for my vehicle but hey, the past is the past and I know better for next time!

In a way I suppose I was lucky that I had roommates in the beginning as there was always a couple of them willing to discuss the day with me.  Also, they were not involved with social work so they could give me their objective opinions.  And I guess it made it less lonely knowing that at least there was always another person around.

When I eventually moved into my own apartment I realised the importance of making friends outside of work to expand my horizon and to make the evenings and weekends less quieter.  However, as I go busier at work I appreciated the ability to sleep in and have naps whenever I wanted to! 

Managing a home including paying for my own utilities and internet was something new I also had to learn and many times with my job it felt like the responsibilities were too much.  Unpacking alone, cleaning alone and completing about a hundred other little tasks alone often felt insurmountable when I was already feeling burnt out from work.

Something that fascinated me however when I talked to my co-workers with families was how they managed to handle all the additional tasks that comes with being a wife/mother.  I honestly didn't know how they could do it.  I wondered how they could have enough energy to give to another person at the end of the day.  I know for me, I always enjoyed the sense of peace and tranquillity that met me when I returned home at the end of the day and I also appreciated the fact that I could put off cleaning etc. to a later time if I was not in the mood to do it.  I guess it's a matter of accountability.  I enjoyed only having to be accountable to myself and not having to compromise. 

I admit however that I could have used the extra help in the beginning but now that I am more settled in my career I feel like I've got the household duties under control.  Overall I feel I can manage my work and home life and this gives me a sense of happiness and pride.

I do wonder about the distraction however.  The "hi honey, how was your day" aspect of having a partner since it would keep me from ruminating about work at times.

These days women are more than capable of being able to support themselves with the right job - which I can attest to.  In many ways I am very blessed to have the salary and benefits that come with my job which allows me to be independent.  There is the stress that comes with the responsibility, however the trade off is most definitely worth it to me.

The Highly Sensitive Social Worker

Continuing with the theme of personality types, I thought I would delve more deeply and look specifically at the Highly Sensitive personality trait and how it relates to social workers and their practise.

First, the traits associated with being a Highly Sensitive person include: processing sensory data more profoundly, they are less productive when over aroused, they display intuition, are conscientious, prefer to socialise less with others, have good attention to details, do not do well when micromanaged, has a lot of imagination, are empathetic and are considered to be loyal employees.

People with this trait can also be mistaken as being shy, having a social anxiety problem and generally being fearful - which may or may not be the case depending on the individual.

*As taken from Wikipedia's article on the Highly sensitive person.

There are several books written on the subject so I will just briefly cover how having the trait can affect the social worker.

I will give an example of a day in the life of a social worker who is Highly Sensitive.  Here goes:

• Arrive refreshed after a restful evening at home
• Immediately feel overwhelmed by the blinking light of the telephone indicating several messages
• Have a feeling it's going to be a busy day but don't know why since there are no appointments scheduled
• Receive a report back from the supervisor with minimum corrections on it
• Relieved when your supervisor decided to hold off meeting with you to discuss your work since you feel like you've got a good handle on it right now
• Spend a few minutes contemplating the tone of the conference you will be having with a family in a few days, since you want it to be a balance of positives as well as areas to work on as to be fair
• Have lunch with a co-worker rather than eat with a large group of people in the lunchroom since there are many that you do not know as well
• Afterwards use your imagination to plan an a fun meeting with a teen client next week since they are not easily engaged
• Have a headache by mid-afternoon because of the fluorescent lights and constant chatter in the office
• A client arrives by surprise in crises who needs immediate support which you provide
• You are highly empathetic towards the client and feel drained after listening to their story
• Stay late after work because your supervisor asked you to complete a task that just could not wait and no other worker wants to do it

I think this sums up pretty well what the Highly Sensitive social worker would experience.  There are a lot of subtle instances where the trait is demonstrated, however unless you researched the trait you may not have made the connection that you have it.  I have to admit that I do have this trait and have found subject matter relating to it on the internet to be very helpful.  What many professionals say is that it is normal to be Highly Sensitive and that it is a part of who you are.  This means it is not something you should be ashamed of or feel that you must change.

As for tips, I would recommend: taking quiet walks outside the office when necessary, wearing sunglasses or turning off the fluorescent lights if possible in your office, wearing headphones to block out the extra noise, taking a breather for a few minutes after you feel overwhelmed with a client, co-worker etc.  Take time to regroup and relax your oversensitive body and mind.

Introverted vs. Extroverted Social Worker

In some ways this topic was the bane of my existence as a new child welfare worker at a busy city office.  I had several co-workers that thrived on crises, were adept at multi-tasking, loved being surrounded by ringing telephones, attending non-stop meetings and of course having conversations with co-workers in between.  I didn't envy them but I did feel different.  I enjoyed my quiet space to get reports done with minimum interruptions, talked on the phone only when necessary and tried to schedule breaks in between meetings as much as possible. 

Don't get me wrong, I was sociable to the group of people I immediately worked with but I was more reserved when interacting with other staff.  I just didn't have the same opportunity to get to know them.  It was also hard learning to be assertive in the beginning and oftentimes I was mistaken as being "shy" but when asked my opinion I would often give a well thought out response.  I also did not seek out conflict or crises unless it could not be avoided.  Many times I felt like I was playing a role at work when I had to be outgoing so that certain clients would engage with me. I also had to learn to be socially savvy in awkward and difficult situations so that my respect (and role) would not get trampled on.   But then of course afterwards I would always feel tired.

Like many social workers at the end of the day I was glad to enter my quiet home.  I would take this time to recharge and I enjoyed as few commitments as possible as they felt like work.  I still had friends outside of work of course but I was selective about spending energy on external activities.

Overall, this is what I have learned/observed from social work environments:

The Extroverted Social Worker

Pros: more easily assertive, comfortable in larger groups, get work done when there is a lot happening around them, can stand meetings, do not mind having attention focused on them, adept at handling tricky social situations, enjoys being a team player, and finds it easy to be talkative with clients.

Cons: less analytical, may not get a lot of work done if it is quiet, and is less reflective.

The Introverted Social Worker

Pros: observant, likes to work independently, enjoys to reflect heavily on decisions, and is successful at completing one activity at a time in a quiet environment.

Cons: less adept at multitasking, does not enjoy meetings, uncomfortable with attention, can feel awkward when talking to co-workers/clients that they are unfamiliar with, can appear shy to others, and feels drained when working with larger groups.

These lists are not meant to demonstrate that being an extroverted social worker is better than being an introverted one.  As there is a variety of personalities that clients display, so should there be different types of personalities that social workers posses.  Also, having a variety of introverted and extroverted social workers in the office can compliment each other.  It can only get uncomfortable if there is a monopoly of one type of personality in the office, or if co-workers are not willing to recognise and accept their personality differences.

Overall, from my personal perspective it has not always been easy being an introverted social worker.  I have to manage my workspace and when and how I communicate with clients to ensure I do not feel overwhelmed or too drained.  I have also accepted that being introverted is a part of my personality and that is not going to change.  Just as we accept the successes and challenges of our clients we have to accept that we have limits with what we are comfortable with depending on our personality.

Moving Away for Work

This is a topic which is very personal for me.  I had to make the decision after graduating from my social work program.  I had returned home from the city where I went to school disappointed because I could not afford to stay.  I then spent three months applying to social work jobs in my area tailoring my cover letter and resume to suit the nearly one hundred postings I had applied to.  It was disillusioning.  I had spent two years giving my life to this program only to find that I was only being considered for jobs that wouldn't even cover my student loan. 

So I came to a crossroads and had to make a more drastic decision, should I apply to jobs across the country if it meant finding a more suitable full time social work position?  At that time I felt like I really didn't have a choice since time was ticking away and I was still without a job.  I applied to postings in almost every province.  I thought it would be an adventure.  I waited and after a relatively short time I began to get calls from out west to all the jobs I had applied to and I continued to get calls even after I accepted an offer.  I believe it was only two weeks between the time I signed and faxed the paperwork and I left home for good.  I was hesitant as this was a front line child welfare job but I figured I had to start somewhere.  I would just tough it out as long as I could.

Moving, having a terrible sinus flare-up from the flight and then starting the next day was kind of overwhelming.  I was especially overwhelmed when I got a basic lesson on the child welfare database and then was given files.  I had no idea how to interact with my clients in this environment since I had not done my field placement at a child welfare agency.  But I watched my coworkers, asked a lot of questions and I steeled myself.  Within one week and definitely for sure after one month, I knew that this was not the social work permanent job for me.  How disappointing.  But I had to keep going and I told myself to hang in there.  That's the problem with social work jobs, they do not offer you a one or two week trial period to decide whether or not you will like the job.  There is also no job shadowing if you are a candidate unless you are a field student.  Looking back I would not have taken the job, especially knowing now how hard of a physical, emotional and mental toll it would eventually take on me.

However, I can say that this position gave me connections and that I moved on to a new social work job within the umbrella of child welfare.  Unfortunately, that has not worked out either and I am looking to try something different but that is a post for another day!

Besides the technical job related aspects of moving I have not yet mentioned the emotional.  It takes a lot of guts to move across the country by yourself (as many people have told me).  In many situations, especially when I was feeling low I knew that the only person I could count on was myself.  It was very frustrating at times as I wanted to hand over the responsibility to a partner and say YOU HANDLE IT!  But I couldn't because if I did not take care of all the little things then I wouldn't survive.  It gives you a lot of personal strength to face new challenges and adversity on your own.  You come to trust yourself, and eventually your instinct will lead you out of hard situations.

Then there is the loss of family connections.  Sure, you can still connect by phone and email but it's not always the same.  You want support on the bad days and you want to show off your triumphs on the good days.  If something goes wrong they feel bad about being so far away and you feel the same!  There are missed holidays and birthdays even though they remain in your heart.  But it does make the time you do get to spend together during visits even more special.  It also makes you envious when you see how much support your co-workers get with their own families close by.

However, moving is not all bad, you get to live in new environments, meet new people and learn different ways of doing things.  You feel more cultured and more knowledgeable about the world.  I also would not have gotten Bella if I had not moved out west.  She is truly my western dog while the dog that remains with my parents is my eastern dog.  I wonder if they were ever to meet if it would be a natural disaster!

Anyway, I cannot deny that there are many work opportunities out there for those willing to make the sacrifice and pick up their roots.  But think carefully about the position, is it something that you really want and honestly feel like you can do?  What about the environment?  Is it in a city or small town?  If you've visited it for the interview can you honestly see yourself living there?  What about losing your family and friends, would you be alright with only seeing them a few times a year or less?  If you truly feel like the financial and career rewards are worth the move and you have evaluated how it can possibly fill your other needs (like environment, spiritual etc) then go for it.  But let me warn you, you will get lonely at times and feel even worse when your family tells you how much they miss you.  You will wonder if you made the right decision.  Listen to your heart and it will tell you.  And if you don't like where you are living you can also move back and there is no shame in that.  You have to live where you feel like you belong and where you feel you can make a life.

This topic is close to my heart for another reason.  My brother is considering moving further away for work.  All I can hope is that he considers the decision carefully and does not jump in like I did as I have had to pay for my naive mistakes.  I wish him the best of course, and if he decides to live near me I have no complaints!

   

Home Visits

Not all social workers will be required to attend home visits, but if you work in child welfare like me it is a normal part of your week.

There are two types of home visits: unannounced and planned.  Unannounced usually occur if there has been a report of a child protection concern and the worker attends the home immediately.  Depending on the nature of the concern and the family's history with children's services the worker may attend alone if they do not believe their safety will be at risk.  However, if there are reports that either parent is intoxicated or if they have a history of being violent, the worker should attend with the police.

The planned home visit can occur as part of an ongoing investigation, it could be one of the terms of the court order, or it could be a part of the agreement that the family has to work with children's services.  These planned visits can widen with anyone receiving child welfare services or those who work with children's services such as foster parents. 

Usually there are identified goals to the meeting: to review and sign paperwork (including plans and court documents), receive/give updates, provide referrals, discuss ongoing concerns, and overall discuss progress.

Many social workers feel that it is difficult to squeeze in home visits due to their busy schedule.  However, it they may be breaching the court order if they do not attend the home as frequently as the order states.  Scheduling might also be an issue for the family, especially if they work or have several other appointments or programming that they must attend.  This may mean meeting the family at lunch time or after hours.  Supervisors may be reluctant to have social workers meet clients after hours.  First is the overtime and second is the security of the worker.  If the social worker feels in anyway uncomfortable with the home, even if it is an unsubstantiated concern they should attend the home with another worker during regular business hours.  This ensures other staff will know where they are and will notice if the workers are late returning.

Also for safety reasons, the social worker should always have a fully charged cellphone (preferably work phone) with them.  They should also avoid travelling in the dark.  Having a full tank of gas is also important, especially if it is a long drive to the home.  Most agencies should have policies such as these but I thought I would review them as sometimes it is easy to forget about these common sense policies when we are so busy! 

Too many times have social workers put their client's well being first while attending home visits.  As a result there are social workers who have been harassed, assaulted, and sadly even killed.  Each individual client and social worker is different however in general social workers try to see the best in people and they can ignore their intuition which tells them when someone might be dangerous.  We all believe that this can never happen to us.  But it does happen and the only thing we can control in these situations are our own actions. 

Rules that I have whenever attending a home is that I always keep the keys to the vehicle handy in my pocket.  I also lock my personal belongings in the vehicle out of sight.  I leave my shoes/jacket on if I have any feelings of uncertainty in the home or if it is not sanitary.  I have also heard of workers getting boxed in in driveways so I usually park on the road and up a ways if I am using my personal vehicle.  Also, I note the exits in the home and I try to sit nearest to the door in case I need a quick escape. 

Thankfully I have not been in any dangerous homes where my safety was put at risk but I do know that if it is necessary, I will not hesitate to make up an excuse to leave an unsafe situation.  Leaving the client's home does not make you a bad social worker, it makes you a smart one, even if it turns out later your fears were unfounded.  You do not want to get into the practise of not listening to your intuition.  Visits can always be rescheduled to occur at the office or at a public location.  If visiting the home is absolutely necessary, it is your duty to advocate that another worker go with you, or a police member attend if the home poses any risk to you.  You are not weak, you are using common sense.

Remember, as social workers all we have to protect ourselves are our wits!


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Taking Your Pet to Work

Do to a personal request the first topic I will discuss is taking your pet to work.  Obviously some ground rules apply such as: having supervisor approval, ensuring no co-workers are allergic to your pet, making sure you have regular breaks to take your dog for a walk, having a quiet workspace so the dog can lay down in your office or under your desk (if your office home is a cubicle), and cleaning up any messes (hair and you know what else!) the dog might make.  I apologise for frequently referencing dogs, as cats can be included as well - as long as they do not go off wandering. 
In a former social work position I brought my small dog Bella to work and it was a great experience for the clients.  I found them to be more open when petting to Bella and overall they seemed to have an easier time expressing their feelings.  However, I did find that I was exhausted by the end of the day after trying to do my regular work while also keeping an eye out for Bella.  But it was a great socialising experience for her as well.

Other than the enjoyment of having your companion at your side, it also relieves some guilt that comes with leaving your pet alone during the day while you are at work.  The health benefits are also something to consider as just the act of petting your animal after a stressful phone call or meeting can help to relieve tension.  It also gives you a boost to know that at least one person (dog counts right?) in your life loves you unconditionally! 

In my perfect world, Bella would be able to come with me to work everyday.  I know this is not a possibility right now as where I work does not permit animals - but it does make private practise sound all the more alluring if I knew that Bella could be at my side.

Also, after a stressful day, just remember to treat your animal with love even if you are feeling frustrated. It's not their fault that you might have had a bad day.

*Another note to consider: I DO NOT recommend exposing your animal to clients who have a history of being violent towards pets. While they are at work your pet is under your supervision and their safety should be paramount!!!

Future Topics

Happy April Fool's Day!  Although prank-wise it's been pretty quiet being a Sunday.

I have come up with a list of relevant topics which I hope to discuss on my blog in the future.  They include:

Peer Support
Self Doubt
Home Visits
Being On-Call
Social Workers in the Movies
Worker's Compensation
Support Systems
Moving Away for Work
Anxiety
Stress Leave
Personal Safety
Introvert vs. Extrovert
The Highly Sensitive Social Worker
Urban vs. Rural Practise
Taking Your Pet to Work
Advocating for Ourselves
Career Change
Sacrifices
The Single Social Worker

I am also interested in hearing about other issues that might be of importance to social workers so please post any suggestions.  I also hope to include links to articles that directly have an impact on us and our work.  That being said, thanks for reading and I will try to update soon!