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Over 50\% of current social workers are considering leaving the profession within the next 18 months due to the stress of too many demands on their time. Social workers with a disability described a lack of reasonable adjustments for their disability at work.
Nearly 44\% left or were considering leaving social work. Findings suggest salary and caretaking effected retention and career reentry. The implications for social work education and the profession require longitudinal research.
How long do social workers stay in the job?
In fact, social workers stay in the profession for an average of 8 years, a significantly lower number in comparison to doctors or nurses (Curtis et al., 2010) .
Is social work a high stress job?
The social work field is rewarding, but it can also be demanding and emotionally taxing at times. These job demands can factor into risk for burnout, defined as “a syndrome with dimensions of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced feelings of personal accomplishment” (Lloyd et al., 2002).
Paperwork takes up a significant portion of a social worker’s workload. Sometimes social workers are paid at a lower rate for their paperwork time than for face-to-face client interaction.
Social workers encounter a wide range of complex challenges in their work with clients and communities. These job demands can factor into risk for burnout, defined as “a syndrome with dimensions of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced feelings of personal accomplishment” (Lloyd et al., 2002).
Is social work exhausting?
While social work is rewarding, restorative and inspiring, it is also exhausting, demanding and emotionally draining at times. This leads to all new levels of social work stress, including burnout. Caring for others takes a toll, so as a social worker, it is absolutely imperative that you also take care of yourself.