The reviewed publication presents a systematic and comprehensible overview of key topics in social work within the environment of the labour market and employment policy. The publication consists of 17 chapters. It is intended primarily for students and practitioners of social work, but may also be beneficial to a wider professional audience. The author appropriately links theoretical frameworks with practical recommendations for working with the unemployed, thus going beyond the textbook minimum.
The author analyses the development of employment policies from their economic foundations to the practical consequences of state interventions, which manifest in the unemployment rate, the social situation of the population, the availability of employment services, and the qualification structure of the workforce. The publication strongly focuses on the application of theoretical knowledge in practice. The author provides recommendations regarding counselling procedures, communication skills, and work with different groups of job seekers. At the same time, he emphasises the importance of the social economy for the employability of disadvantaged persons. The social economy is presented in the publication as a bridge between unemployment and the open labour market. It creates space for disadvantaged persons to gain work experience, strengthen their qualifications, and gradually integrate into society. Analytical materials in the form of graphs and statistical data contribute to a better understanding of the dynamics of the working environment. They also help the reader navigate the social changes captured by the publication. Given the year of publication (2013), these data provide an authentic picture of the situation at the time and serve as an important empirical framework for interpreting the text and comparing it with current developments. The author also highlights the importance of interdisciplinary cooperation and the need for professional education and specialisation in social work. Such a comprehensive approach shows that social work is not a profession threatened with extinction, but on the contrary, it has significant practical relevance. This is reflected not only in the provision of methodological and legislative frameworks but also in the work of counsellors at employment offices, where theoretical knowledge is translated into specific procedures when working with clients. The publication would gain greater analytical value if it contained specific examples of successful measures in individual member states. The text focuses on the European Union as a whole and does not provide a more detailed view of the differences between individual national policies. Extensive descriptions of historical events may at times divert the reader from the analytical core of the text.
For the contemporary reader, the most valuable chapters are those devoted to counselling procedures and skills, as they offer concrete guidance applicable in the practice of social workers. The sections that describe in detail the historical development of employment policies serve more as a documentary foundation, yet they provide valuable historical insight. A more explicit connection between the historical content, policy analysis, and practical application would better demonstrate how these parts relate to and complement each other. Since the publication's release up to 2025, several changes have occurred that alter the interpretive framework of the text. For example, the European Social Fund and related programmes were merged into the ESF+ programme in 2021, which simplified funding. The guidelines for the employment policies of member states were last updated in 2024, with a strengthened link to the green and digital transition and to active labour market policies. The publication "Unemployment and Social Work" provides an overview of legal and policy documents, theoretical frameworks, and practical recommendations.
The author notes that despite economic and technological progress, there are economic mechanisms that lead to worker layoffs. These processes stem from the principles of cost reduction and profit maximisation, while also raising questions of morality and ethics in the labour market, as they can lead to negative social consequences such as poverty, marginalisation, and unemployment. This critical perspective remains an important topic for employment policy-making and social work practice. The author's conclusions remain relevant even after 12 years, and his critical reflections on the morality and ethics of the labour market retain their timeliness. Hetteš primarily warned of the risk of poverty and marginalisation as a result of economic pressures, and current practice shows that similar ethical dilemmas continue to emerge. The publication provides not only a historical overview and methodological recommendations but also a framework suitable for addressing current and future labour market problems. Ultimately, Hetteš's work can be considered timeless, as his analyses and recommendations remain relevant today.