Tell Human Services Agency: treat social workers with dignity and respect!

Tell Human Services Agency: treat social workers with dignity and respect!

We are the social workers of San Joaquin County. We care for the most vulnerable in our community. From neglected and abused children and adults to those unable to care for themselves, we are there. We need the management of the Human Services Agency to be there for us.

New workers are often left with inadequate training and cannot give our clients the service they deserve because they are juggling case management and training. The sink or swim mentality must stop.

We are the social workers of San Joaquin County. We care for the most vulnerable in our community. From neglected and abused children and adults to those unable to care for themselves, we are there. We need the management of the Human Services Agency to be there for us.

New workers are often left with inadequate training and cannot give our clients the service they deserve because they are juggling case management and training. The sink or swim mentality must stop.

Tell Human Services Agency: treat social workers with dignity and respect!

By signing this petition, we will grow support for the training of new social workers, creating a positive working environment and stopping the turnover, and maintaining a safe work environment.

Dear San Joaquin County Human Services Agency,

Seasoned workers face a complete lack of a work-life balance, and work becomes all-consuming. When faced with unrealistic expectations, micromanaging, and the absence of a positive working environment, burnout is not far behind. In addition, the department often places us in questionable positions where our code of ethics could be violated and put the agency and us at a liability. All of these circumstances lead to the chronic staffing shortages we are facing. The revolving door of Social Workers in San Joaquin County must stop. 

If we manage to make it past training and can survive the long hours, the lack of safety in the workplace may be the issue that eventually takes us down. For example, we may be attacked walking to the parking lot or in the parking garage. In addition, we may contract COVID-19 from one of our unmasked clients or co-workers who are not following the guidelines or from unsanitized and filthy County vehicles we utilize to do our jobs. The safety of Social workers needs to be prioritized at all times.

We, the undersigned, are Social Workers for San Joaquin County, and we are committed to our community. We are also committed to holding management accountable for:

  • Training of new social workers
  • Creating a positive working environment and stopping the turnover
  • Maintaining a safe work environment
  • Invalid phone number