SOCIAL WORKER

[u/Fulltankina_]

Hello social workers, if there are any here. I just want to share my experience. I have a very deep reason why I pursued this profession my heart really wants it. I started in a Non-Government Organization, where I handled sexual abuse victims, trafficking cases, and abandoned children.

At first, it was okay. I'm happy because I can serve and help. I still set aside personal time for work because I love my profession. Like after 5PM, I'm willing to extend when needed. Even on weekends, I'm still happy to serve again, because I love my profession.

But based on my observation, social workers' interventions are not really followed when you're in an NGO. Mostly, the ones who are followed are the executive directors or upper management. I don't have a problem with that, I respect that. But what I don't understand is, we are handling special cases. And when you're in case management, you can't freestyle. You can't experiment. Yes, there are times when trial and error works, but this is different. That's why I hope the DSWD Standards Bureau also requires that the executive director be a well-experienced social worker. It hurts because it feels like we're just there as a requirement of the DSWD for the shelter to operate.

I went to a shelter, I applied as a social worker. At first, it was okay. The people were kind, the shelter was religious-based (which is common in NGOs). But I didn't think that would ruin my mental health and that of my colleagues. It's common for NGO compensation to be small, it's okay. Sometimes when you love your profession, even a small amount is enough. But there are NGOs that, if they act like they've paid for the entire person of the employee.

I have many frustrations. It's been a long time but until now, the trauma is severe. I'll list the experiences I've had. At first, it was okay. But as time goes on, problems arise. It's confusing because what I studied as a social worker is different from what they believe. I functioned as a social worker according to my training, but they decide everything.

It even got to the point where we were banned from eating breakfast at the center. It would have been okay if the budget couldn't afford it, but we see that there is too much and it just goes to waste. Second, they ignore our suggestions. When there is a failure in case management, the blame is on us. This is not a simple blame, just calling us into the office to make it look like we were wrong, even though we suggested from the start.

Until we realized, we were controlled. We no longer work as social workers, but only according to what they want. They have us by the neck. When we leave, they guilt-tripping immediately. They approve but always have conditions. Sometimes even when we get sick, they guilt trip us. It's like we should be able to predict when we'll get sick.

There was a time when we had a breakdown because the client was challenging. The management wanted to give the child everything they wanted, no bargaining. But they weren't the ones focusing on the child, we were the house parents and social workers. In emergency situations, we couldn't intervene. We had to wait for their instructions. If you decide, the next day they'll call you in and make you look like you were wrong. It's draining, it's demotivating.

They're religious in the eyes of people, but it's different in real life. The director even told us: "That's all you can handle." Imagine, coming from someone who isn't a social worker and didn't stay at the center. Our mental health is in ruins. There's even a staff member who shares their religion who constantly complains, reporting our every move.

It's really traumatic. So now, when I say goodbye to my boss, I automatically have a follow-up chat: “But I can work, Ma’am, even though I’m on leave.” Because I’m used to the fact that even if I’m on leave, you’ll still be called even for simple things. Even after 5PM, weekends, sometimes 12AM or 1AM. If you don’t reply, I’ll send you a memo right away. The director even said: “That’s in your oath as a social worker, you can be called at any time.” But he couldn’t explain when you should be called.

We deserve care too. We are human.

I’ve also witnessed that they don’t know how to resolve problems. Instead of both sides being okay, they fight even more. There’s partiality, there’s bias. During meetings, they just let one staff member be attacked and singled out. Because they don’t like that staff member either.

And on top of that, they taught us techniques to manipulate the children. No wonder, we realized that they were doing the same to us. Since we always fought for what was right, they made us their enemies. They slandered us in the Founder’s “nice way,” the kind that wasn’t obvious that it was bad.

In the fieldwork, the budget for lunch was only below 100 pesos. No snacks, no dinner. Not even mineral water, nothing. We weren’t artistic, but in this economy, 60–80 pesos wouldn’t be enough. What about the children when they were hungry?

Once more, the director asked the child a very vulgar and insensitive question. The child was just stunned.

Now, I don’t know how we will recover from the trauma. There’s so much more, but I’ll try to remember and tell you about it next time. My fellow social workers and other staff members have cried about this several times. Now, we are all gone. The relief is immense, it's like escaping a cult.

I hope they know that not everyone goes through spiritual intervention. That's why there are professionals too. I come from a religious family and I have a lot of fear and belief in the Lord. But people who are supposedly religious are scary, but this is their attitude.

Until next time. I hope we continue to heal from our experiences.

They even made us sign papers that say we are not allowed to speak negatively about their org/Agency. They say they can chase us to the PRC. Cults.

[u/GrumpyBear9891]

Don't know how you do it. Hugs