The Evolution and Practice of Occupational Social Work in the United States

Abstract

Summary Occupational social work was first introduced in the United States at the dawn of the 20th Century in response to heightened industrialization, rapid urbanization and an influx of immigrants with numerous social needs. In the absence of institutionalized social welfare services and increasing consumer demands, leading industrialists of the era assumed the role in the provision of social welfare services. While paternalistic in its approach, these early employer sponsored social services set the tone for the workplace programs that have evolved over the past 100 years. While these services have been offered under many different auspices such as unions, large corporations, small employers, federal, state and local government agencies, drug and alcohol treatment programs, hospital and related health care services, the military, and by major health insurers, social workers have played a pivotal role in the evolution of workplace human services. This article traces the journey of the occupational social worker in the U.S. and the evolution of work related delivery systems. It also examines the unique perspective that social workers bring to the world of work and the resiliency with which they have been able to assist workers and work organizations respond and adapt to a rapidly changing workplace and environment. This article also explores the roles social workers play in the areas of adapting to technological and organizational change, understanding and accepting diversity, health care cost containment, economic fluctuations and job insecurity, work induced stress and illness, managing trauma, conflict and violence, work and family issues, and the recent infusion of public welfare recipients into the workplace.