Dimensions of Achieving Security and Occupational Safety for Social Workers in the Health Sector at Cairo University, Egypt

Abstract

This research investigated the requisite dimensions for ensuring the professional security and safety of social workers within health sector organizations. Through a sample comprising 41 participants, the study collected data pertaining to demographic characteristics and solicited perspectives on personal, professional, physiological, and organizational factors influencing security and safety. The primary findings underscore the significance of readiness to work, alignment with organizational needs, and physical health and safety as crucial personal dimensions. Professionally, ongoing training and the cultivation of professional relationships emerge as critical factors. The foremost physiological considerations encompass proper workplace illumination, technology utilization, and equipment maintenance. On an organizational level, administrative awareness of social work roles and the organizational culture regarding safety are deemed paramount. In sum, the results accentuate disparities in alignment between administration and social workers with regard to safety priorities. Despite positive indications in leadership intentions and preparedness plans, issues related to workload management contribute to exhaustion among social workers. Dissatisfaction with existing security procedures is also evident. Recommendations put forth include the enhancement of communication to augment comprehension of social workers' roles, improvement in workload distribution, allocation of budgets for safety gear and training, and the cultivation of an organizational culture cognizant of safety. Furthermore, additional proposals advocate for specialized education, incentives, job rotation, assessments, and legislative measures to elevate support for the essential yet high-risk roles of social workers in health crisis management