Why Are Young Social Workers Leaving the Field?
The departure of young professionals from the social welfare sector is intensifying. According to a survey by the Korea NGO News, 4 out of 10 social workers are contemplating a career change, with a particularly high turnover rate among young social workers with less than 3 years of experience. This is not merely a matter of individual choice but a critical social issue that can lead to a decline in the quality of welfare services and a deepening shortage of personnel.
The primary reasons social workers consider leaving are poor working conditions and low compensation. Excessive workloads, insufficient staffing, and low wages combine to accelerate burnout among social workers. Furthermore, the psychological burden of dealing with various challenging situations in the field and inadequate support systems also contribute to the desire to leave.
“I started with a sense of calling as a social worker, but the reality was very different. I was exhausted by the constant influx of work and emotional labor, and I felt like I couldn't take it anymore.”
Preventing a 'Welfare Exodus': Urgent Need for Improved Treatment
To prevent the exodus of young social workers and secure a stable workforce in the social welfare sector, improving the treatment of social workers is crucial. First, the wage levels of social workers must be realistic, and various incentive systems should be established to encourage long-term employment. Additionally, active efforts should be made to improve working conditions, such as reducing excessive workloads and providing sufficient opportunities for rest and recharge.
Specific improvement measures to consider include:
- Wage Increase: Improving the compliance rate with the government's salary guidelines for social welfare facility employees and providing additional wage increases.
- Staffing Increase: Realistically adjusting the staffing standards for social welfare facilities and deploying additional personnel.
- Allowance Payment: Paying allowances that reflect the characteristics of the job, such as risk allowances and special duty allowances.
- Guaranteeing Leave: Encouraging the use of annual leave and supporting substitute personnel.
- Psychological Counseling Support: Operating and expanding support for psychological counseling programs for social workers.
Efforts to Build a Sustainable Welfare System
In addition to improving the treatment of social workers, efforts are needed to strengthen the professionalism of the social welfare field. Expand the development and support of educational programs to enhance the capabilities of social workers, and strengthen the supervision system to help social workers improve their expertise and overcome difficulties. It is also important to strengthen education and counseling on ethical dilemmas that arise in the social welfare field to help social workers make sound judgments.
Furthermore, efforts to improve social awareness of social welfare should be pursued in parallel. By widely publicizing the dedicated efforts and social value of social workers and spreading a positive image of social welfare, social workers should be encouraged to work with pride. In 2025, the budget for social welfare will be expanded, and policy support for improving the treatment of social workers will be strengthened.
“When social workers are happy, the people are happy. We will do our best to solve the difficulties of social workers and help them work with pride.”
Investing in the Future: The Happiness of Social Workers
Solving the difficulties of social workers and building a sustainable welfare system is an important investment in the future. Creating an environment where social workers can work happily and improving the quality of social welfare services ultimately leads to the happiness of our entire society. Right now, we must listen to the voices of social workers and begin making practical efforts to solve their difficulties. Hyunbit Media will continue to represent the voices of the social welfare field and take the lead in presenting constructive alternatives for the development of social welfare.