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© British Association of Social Workers

Stress and Organizational Culture

NEIL THOMPSON, STEVE STRADLING, MICHAEL MURPHY and PAUL O'NEILL

Professor of Social Work and Applied Social Studies at Staffordshire University

Senior lecturer in Psychology at Manchester University

Multidisciplinary trainer with Bolton Area Child Protection Committee

Social worker in Belfast

Summary

The relationship between social work and stress is a complex one which remains relatively under-explored. This paper examines issues arising from a comparative study of stress in three local authority social services departments.

The main focus is on the human resource management issues underpinning the experience of social work staff. In particular, the role of organizational culture is explored and the notion of a ‘culture of stress’ is introduced. This is a key aspect of the theoretical account presented. It offers an explanation of the identified differences amongst the three authorities studied in terms of the subjective experience of common stressors.

The paper concludes with a discussion of the major implications for social work agencies in which such an organizational culture has developed.


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