January Currents Issue,  2005

The World of Work in the Public Sector

Ronnie Sue Jaffe, LCSW, CEAP, SAP, Employee Assistance Program Clinical Director, MTA/NYC Transit

Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) and other work-based programs have proliferated and become common in the landscape of the American workplace. They provide the base to enhance the social functioning of individuals through the practice of casework, group work, community organization, and administration. Intervention with individuals, families and groups; addressing substance abuse, mental health, marital and relationship issues; dealing with domestic violence, tackling financial and housing problems; affecting policy, collaborating with agency staff, and conducting research are the substance of our work. Not a small order by any means!

Over the years, I have worked in a large labor union Member Assistance Program, directed two hospital-based EAPs, and worked in a public sector EAP, and the challenges have been limitless. The public sector brings to the arena mass public scrutiny and a host of governmental policies and regulations. For example, in mass transit, a clinical mistake can mean sending an employee back to work in a public safety position with untreated depression or a substance abuse problem.

Collaborative skills are needed to work with a variety of host agencies, governmental bodies, labor unions, and diverse populations. Strict adherence to regulations but flexibility in practicing in a non-clinical setting is an essential element of this work. Social workers need to be sensitive to these issues, well grounded in their skill base, but, most importantly, absolutely scrupulous about social work ethics and values.

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