Why HR Departments Need Social Workers More Than Ever

The modern workplace is far removed from the places of employment from yesterday. 

Employee well-being, inclusivity, and high morale are essential foundations for a thriving workplace, not just ideals.

Despite systems put in place to ensure smooth running, issues will arise. Think of the workplace as a car engine that needs to be serviced to run efficiently. If a single part refuses to work, the entire engine is useless. What happens then?

The same occurs when personality clashes and differences of opinion upset the balance of order, and then HR steps in with its workplace manuals and proverbial slap on the wrist.

Human Resources is quite a blanket term. Besides managing staff disputes, recruits, and other matters, HR has to balance the needs of employees with those of the company. 

Owns a Unique Skill Set

Licensed clinical social workers bring with them a unique set of skills. Their patience, empathy, and unbiased advice make them sought after in the HR space.

Adept in dealing with conflict resolution, social workers relate to people with compassion and kindness. However, the career pathway to becoming an accredited social worker isn’t easy. Students with a bachelor’s degree typically choose the advanced standing MSW program.

A Master of Social Work degree equips them with the correct tools to enter the HR field. They can complete their education through an online degree. Clinical mental health treatment skills come in handy when supporting an employee on their mental health journey. 

The University of the Pacific suggests this study option for individuals who want to address the growing need for mental health services and improve the lives of people.

If you happen to be a clinical social worker who is considering pivoting to the corporate world, specifically HR, read further.

Advocates for Inclusive Practices

A lot of the time, employees don’t feel heard and seen. It can be frustrating airing your grievances when you’re met with radio silence.

A workplace that values diverse backgrounds sounds like, but putting it into practice requires more than a campfire session and having a ‘Kumbaya’ moment.

Built In reports that more than half (55.4%) of U.S. employees are women. However, they still have a long way to go to break the glass ceiling. The gender pay gap persists with women earning 16% less than their male counterparts.

Although some companies won’t admit it, sexual harassment and discrimination are rife. According to McKinsey, Women are twice as likely to be mistaken for someone more junior and 1.5 times as likely to have their judgement questioned. 

The need for someone to advocate on their behalf is more imperative than ever. Social workers excel at advocating for inclusion. They understand social justice and are committed to equity.

Conflict Resolution

Having different personalities in one place without clashing is in itself a phenomenon. But it’s always the case. 

Conflicting temperaments often lead to toxic working environments. If left to fester, it can cause all sorts of chaos.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics claims that work-related activities consume the second-largest portion of our day (8.34 hours). Imagine being cooped up between four walls with the same people, day in and out. It’s a powder keg waiting to explode. 

And, according to the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), U.S. workers face 202 million acts of incivility daily, causing personal distress.

Managers and HR staff can implement key strategies like setting staff expectations and maintaining clear office policies.

What happens when these approaches don’t work? Social workers have the skills to mediate workplace conflicts by providing neutral guidance to improve teamwork and cooperation.

Supports Mental Health

The World Health Organization (WHO) states that everyone has the right to a safe and healthy working environment. Yet, this isn’t the reality for millions of employees across the globe.

Depression and anxiety cost 12 billion workdays and $1 trillion in lost productivity annually.

Research has found a connection between our environments and our mental health. Verywell Mind says our surroundings shape our daily routines and influence our emotions.

Licensed marriage and family therapist April Snow tells the publication that several workplace factors can affect mental health, including:

• High-stress levels

• Workplace bullying

• Low or no social support

• Not feeling valued 

• Not having control over your job.

HR can only do so much in supporting employee mental health. A social worker offers you the tools and counselling to help manage stress, anxiety, and burnout. They also work with HR to promote mental well-being.

Fostering a Supportive Culture

People leave their jobs because of workplace culture. They either realise they don’t fit in with their team or the toxicity overrides job satisfaction.

Clinical social workers are instrumental in encouraging a workplace that prioritises empathy and inclusivity. Promoting values such as respect and appreciation helps employees feel supported, resulting in a more engaged and positive workforce.

The role goes beyond fostering a supportive environment. Social workers collaborate with HR to design programmes to enhance employee well-being. 

These can include diversity training and mental wellness initiatives, nurturing a healthier, more connected workplace.

Intervention Strategies

Organizations may argue that HR departments are adequate to advocate for employee well-being. However, social workers take a holistic approach to propagate a healthier working environment.

Thankfully, some workplaces see the value in hiring social workers to assist HR. Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs) are designed to help employees manage issues that might adversely impact their job performance. 

A social worker with extensive training in offering counselling and support services can lead these initiatives.

EAPs have shown substantial improvements by reducing absenteeism, presenteeism, and staff turnover.

The U.S. is experiencing a mental health crisis that requires more than a public health solution. 

Corporations must get on board to ensure their workforces have equal access to mental health services. They can start by employing capable social workers willing and able to support workers in a safe and constructive way.

These gifted individuals are well-trained in research methods on conflict resolution, encouraging mental well-being, and developing intervention strategies. 

If there’s one thing that you do this year, let it be investing in your people so they can reach their full potential.

Author Bio: Writer by day, dream catcher by night. Marchelle Abrahams cut her teeth during the infancy of the internet when the dial sound of the modem was more than a soundbite at a rave. Not a Millennial and not a Boomer, Marchelle is an in-betweener, making her a special breed of human. As a qualified journalist, Marchelle believes her superpower is stringing a few words together and people reading them.