Social workers have their rights

Social Workers Have Their Own Rights Current changes in European society point to the need to strengthen the position of human rights and the importance of social investment. Social workers, in their efforts to redefine social work, strive to be in line with these trends. People were and will be interested in being valid and useful members of the whole (society), they want to create, help and be loved. Slovakia, like the surrounding world, is threatened with a significant decrease in population and a fundamental crisis due to the lack of human resources. Social work will have to respond to the changed situation and also solve the surprising problem of an early shortage of its professionals in connection with aging and the related decline of the population locally and globally. (p. 44, Hetteš, 2013)

Currently, social work is not only among desirable and rapidly growing professions. Many countries solve the shortage of social workers at the expense of other countries, which is only a short-sighted policy from a global perspective. Many professions disappear, or their importance decreases. However, despite the financial crisis and the resulting increase in unemployment, strangely the number of people in this profession in Europe has not decreased. (p. 56, EU Unemployment Rate, 2013)

Picture no. 1: Share of healthcare and social work in total employment

Source: EU Unemployment Rate (2013), p. 55

1. Social workers in the company

After many years of hard work across Europe, the International Federation of Social Workers in Europe (IFSW Europe) is pleased to present a Charter of Rights for Social Workers. Social workers carry out a range of important tasks on behalf of the rest of society, including protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse. They fight for the rights of individuals and groups who are marginalized and threatened by injustice. Nevertheless, not all of them receive the adequate support from their employers and from society in general, which is necessary to perform important and necessary tasks for society.

It is necessary to remind ourselves again that although we are different, we cannot think that difference is without solidarity. The Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen, adopted by the French National Assembly in 1789, recognizes and declares, in the presence and under the patronage of the Supreme Being, the rights of man and citizen in the form that men are born and remain free and equal in their rights, and that social distinctions can only be based on the benefit of the whole. Capitalism, private property, differences yes, but not to the detriment of the whole. We have many stigmas and ruins in our hearts and cities that need to be addressed for the benefit of society and a dignified life for all.

Picture no. 2: Charter of rights of social workers

Source: IFSW

Social workers have the right to a healthy and safe workplace, free from abuse and discrimination in any form. In Slovakia, in the most common form due to age, gender and race. Social workers should help strengthen the rights of their clients. They should have the opportunity to express themselves about their problems and participate in joint social events, i.e. express themselves about society's problems as well. Social workers must have the right to develop their professionalism and have career growth to improve the services provided. Lifelong learning and the possibility of appropriate supervision will contribute to this. There must be clear rules and competences at work.

Social workers can be assigned a reasonable amount of work, which prevents unwanted overwork and burnout. They should have the conditions for responsible, effective work with the application of the evaluation and improvement of existing procedures. They must be allowed to assist clients in their rights. All social workers have the right to association and to adequate assistance and protection. The existence of a professional organization representing their interests and the interests of decent practices is necessary. In working relationships, there must be adequate conditions and adequate, dignified remuneration. Social workers must have the right to act and advise in the social development of society. Morality (ethical principles) and human rights must be protected. Social workers acting in the best interest of their client must find support and protection even in circumstances that are not fully in accordance with the applicable law, or with the interests of superiors, relatives, or public administration and local politics at a given time and place.

2. Employment of graduates in Slovakia

As part of learning about the employment of social work graduates, a survey was conducted at three important universities in Slovakia. The majority of full-time master's degree graduates were employed within 2 months of graduation, and the largest share of respondents completed only 5 interviews before getting their first job. However, there were also graduates who had to go through more than 21 interviews before finding their first job, sometimes only after one year. This fact is not unknown in other professions.

Social workers found the most frequent application in working with the unemployed. The recent recommendation of the European Council also concerned the paradoxical part-time employment at employment offices. There is significant potential for insufficient work in the field of active employment policy. For example the question of obtaining information about a job vacancy is not solved as a priority with the help of the public employment service, but informally and depends primarily on the activity of the unemployed. Slovakia has consistently paid significantly less attention to the issues of people who are not recipients of unemployment benefits, including young people and graduates.

Graduates who are currently not working in the social sector cite lack of job offers and insufficient financial remuneration as the main reason. Human needs, especially in the social sphere, are almost limitless. As the Slovak Republic has the status of the country with the lowest social investment within the EU (measured through the share of GDP), it does not create the necessary jobs, even if there is a real social need. This also results in low valuation and weak pressure to improve wages due to the artificial surplus of free labor.

Another survey (as part of the PROGRESS project) conducted by the author together with a team dealing with the employment of social work graduates in five EU member countries in 2013 found insufficient knowledge of a foreign language to be one of the most important problems. Not knowing a foreign language in a small country like Slovakia is a handicap, but it seems that graduates of social work see the best employment outside of Slovakia. Knowledge of a foreign language, if we want to apply in this profession, should not be as important as in tourism.

The European social model is traditionally shaped by the activities of many organizations that are different from private corporations and public institutions. They are organizations that have a goal other than profit for their owners and shareholders. Their purpose is to provide goods and services to their members, the community or society in general. Such organizations have been operating in Europe for more than two centuries. Organizations aimed at ensuring needs of general importance are usually collectively included under the term social economy. These organizations pay particular attention to the social impact of their activities and often have a participatory and democratic form of governance. In the eighties, social entrepreneurship began to develop as a special form having the formal form of private business with the content and focus of the social economy.

The social economy is present in many European countries, but it practically does not exist in Slovakia. It employs more than 14.5 million paid employees in Europe, which is about 6.5% of the entire working population. In the original 15 states of the European Union, it is 7.4% (p. 45, Social Economy, 2013). Among the employees here, social workers are prominently represented. This also applies to managers. These often work with human social needs and with employees who are difficult to employ in the for-profit sector. This means that the social economy is important in Europe not only for people, but also for the economy. The social economy is traditionally represented by organizational groups such as social cooperatives, self-help organizations, associations and non-profit organizations.

3. Organizations of social workers

In accordance with the changing world, social work adapts to new circumstances, as can be realized on the basis of discussions in the International Federation of Social Workers. In principle, even today, social work helps social development and social cohesion. The task of social work should be, among other things, supporting people to influence their social environment to achieve sustainable well-being. Social work is a profession supported by theories of social work, social sciences and local knowledge and values. Thus, not every global value must be fully accepted, as it is foreign and unsuitable for local reality. The principles of human rights, shared responsibility and social justice are fundamental to the practice of social work.

To fulfill their tasks, missions and principles, social workers join national professional organizations. Even in Slovakia, there is an unfinished debate about the form and mission of such an entity. According to the author, the proposed chamber of social workers will primarily serve the law on social work.

Such organizations (associations, federations, associations) provide local (branches), national membership and international representation. The International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) grants full membership to only one national entity. Individuals do not have full membership. They create a community that represents a kind of social network (not just a virtual Internet one) and a potential lobbying force. Their possibilities are in assisting in the search for a possible job and in informing each other. Such organizations also provide professional insurance. A social worker can easily get into trouble if they are looking out for their client's best interests, which may not be the same as the interests of their client's loved ones and environment. Alternatively, they may be accused of improper procedure for other reasons. They provide continuous education and a continuous stream of information. They issue independent evaluations, publish unbiased publications, manuals, guides and magazines, which may not always express the opinion of the government and businessmen. Such associations provide recommendations, certifications, certificates, authorizations and documents of competence in practice. They enforce the rights of social workers as well as their clients (lobbying, representation). They can establish their own legal aid funds and other various assistance (e.g. old-age supplementary insurance): We know that the state social security system currently offers an inadequate income security in old age, which does not prevent the poverty of the majority and has essentially no elements of merit. These associations can support independent research, support educational activities, provide grants and also receive them. Their activity in business is not negligible. There are loyalty programs with various business entities due to membership, discounts, rentals, vacations, internships, scholarships, advantageous financial services, and even credit services. All of these are mostly activities provided by organizations bringing together social workers in practice, which are not in the Slovak draft and do not actually have a place there.

4. Social workers have their days

In the world, it is customary to remember various important events, circumstances, professions and other mutually agreed important things that we want to draw attention to, or they make us happy. I offer a selection of such international, world and European days. There are more of them, maybe I have wrongly omitted some. Try to get inspired and put them in your calendar and be inspired.

January 24

– Similar to other employers, the VŠSPZ sv. Alžbety is interested in enabling employees to get to know each other outside of the offices, classrooms and other areas of the workplace.

February 9 - World Marriage Day

is celebrated on the second Sunday in February. The idea to celebrate this day was born in 1981. We remember the beauty, fidelity, sacrifice and joy in married life. A husband and wife are united by heart and their love is the force that makes them successful, life-giving and an inspiration to others.

February 20 – World Day of Social Justice

announced in November 2007 at the session of the UN General Assembly. We have been commemorating it since 2009. This day is dedicated to social justice, the fight against poverty, the support of full employment, decent work, equality and fair conditions for employees and, last but not least, the observance of human rights and freedoms.

March 18 – World Social Work Day

and social workers was established in 2007 at the initiative of the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW). World Social Work Day is an annual event (third Tuesday in March) that aims to highlight the contribution of social work to society. This day is supposed to help dialogue with all partners on how best to solve social problems.

March 20 – International Day of Happiness

was announced by the United Nations on July 12, 2012. Its announcement was an initiative of Bhutan, a Himalayan kingdom that measures prosperity by gross national happiness. The UN resolution calls on individual member states to celebrate the Day of Happiness in an appropriate way, e.g. through education or public activities.

April 29 - European Day of Solidarity and Cooperation between Generations

has been commemorated since 2009 and is covered by the European Platform for Older People (AGE). The message is to promote intergenerational solidarity, to develop understanding between young and older people through mutual meetings and the exchange of experiences and skills.

May 1 - Labor Day

• was announced at the founding congress II. internationals in Paris. After the creation of the Czechoslovakia in 1919, May 1 was declared a national holiday by the then president T. G. Masaryk. Many forget that this day is an opportunity to celebrate the importance of human work and the irreplaceable contribution of each working individual to society.

May 1 is also the holiday of St. Joseph the worker, patron of all workers

• is a Christian holiday. Sv. Joseph was the foster father of Jesus Christ. Before the law, he was his father and the husband of the Virgin Mary. As an artistic craftsman, the carpenter represents an exemplary worker for Christians.

May 15 – World Family Day

• the public around the world remembers the family on the day that was declared for it by the United Nations (UN) in 1993. The meaning of Family Day consists in reminding the importance of the family as the basic building block of society. At the same time, it is possible for the national institutions dealing with this issue to think about the family policy in the given country.

July 7

– we regularly commemorate the birth of the native of Bratislava and patron of the school - St. Elizabeth (7. 7. 1207). The meaning of the first name Elizabeth is very nice "God is generous".

July 30 – friendship day

. The tradition of celebrating the International Day of Friendship began in 1935 in the USA. The main idea is to realize the role of friendship in our life, which brings peace and good mood to our world. We should celebrate this day with our friends, express our gratitude, love and gift them with something small.

August 12 – International Youth Day

it was declared by the United Nations in 1999 and has been celebrated since 2000. Young people are currently facing several global challenges, whether it is a high rate of graduate unemployment, poor conditions for the development of philanthropy, or being overlooked.

September 5 – International Charity Day

the world celebrated it for the first time in 2013. It was established by the UN General Assembly. It will be commemorated every year in honor of Blessed Maria Theresa of Calcutta, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979, who died on September 5, 1997. Such recognition of Mother Teresa is also recognition of the extensive charitable work that the church carries out on a daily basis for the benefit of the poorest.

September 21 - World Gratitude Day

is an opportunity to show your gratitude and appreciation, to appreciate important things and actions of individuals or groups.

October 1 - International Day of the Elderly

declared the United Nations in 1990. The reason was the report on demographic developments, which stated that the population is aging. Population aging brings with it significant economic and social challenges, both for developed and developing countries. It is also intended to point out the equality of status and the dignity of life of the elderly.

October 2 – the day of social work educators

reminds the European Association of Social Educators (AIEJI). Let's remember the work of our educators, who are and are not in the Slovak Association of Social Work Educators.

November 17 – is the day of the death of St. Elizabeth

(17.11.1231, Marburg), who is the patron saint of beggars, widows and orphans, the sick, the persecuted, the needy, bakers, lacemakers; charitable organizations and of course I cannot forget our school.

December 5 – International Day of Volunteering in Economic and Social Development

declared by the United Nations in 1985 to draw attention to the role of volunteers, voluntary communities and organizations. In 1990, the International Association of Voluntary Efforts also adopted the Universal Declaration of Volunteering, which states that it is based on personal motivation and individual decision, is a form of support for active civic participation and interest in community development, increases human potential and the quality of everyday life, strengthens human solidarity, provides a response to important social challenges and contributes to the creation of a better and more peaceful world.

December 10 - Human Rights Day

. It was declared by the General Assembly of the United Nations in 1950 as a reminder of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. Social work is usually only referred to as a human rights profession.

December 20 – International Day of Human Solidarity

was announced by the United Nations in 2005. The main idea of this day is the fight against poverty, corruption and terrorism, promoting the understanding of the value and importance of human solidarity at the global level in solving global problems and meeting global development goals.

With this contribution, the author tried to point out some pleasant and less pleasant problems from the life of social workers. It is important to realize above all the importance and potential of social work in today's globalized aging world. employment of social work graduates. Social work cannot be relegated to the background even in Slovakia. This short-sighted approach will affect the unpreparedness of Slovak society for a changing life. Social workers themselves have a significant part of the responsibility for future development in Slovakia and the world in their hands.

Author: doc. RNDr. Miloslav Hetteš, CSc. List of bibliographic references

EU Unemployment Rate and Social Situation, Quarterly Review December 2012 (2013): European Commission, Brussels, 79 pp., ISBN 978-92-79-28115-0 FORROVÁ, L. (2013): Employment of social work graduates graduating in 2008-2010, Nitra, UKF, 2013. 62 p. HETTEŠ, M. (2013): Social cohesion and security in social work, Nitra, UKF FSVZ, 198 pp., ISBN 978-80-558-0256-5 HETTEŠ,.M. (2013): Employment and social work, Bratislava, VŠZSP sv. Elizabeth, 130 pp., ISBN 978-80-8132-089-7 PEKAROVIČOVÁ, V. (2013): Employment of social work graduates graduating in 2011. Nitra, UKF, 2013. 62 p. Social Economy and Social Entrepreneurship (2013), European Commission, Brussels, 108 pp., ISBN 978-92-79-26866-3 Internet Resources Charter of Rights of Social Workers: International Federation of Social Workers – Europe, http://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/40688767/ifsw%20modified%20copy.jpg, 11 November 2013 Membership Benefits (2013): National Association of Social Workers, Washington, USA, http://www.socialworkers.org/joinBenefits/benefits.asp, 11 November 2013 Social Workers (2013): Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition, Social Workers, 26 August 2013, http://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/social-workers.htm