Perspektiva socijalnih radnika o uvjetima rada, odnosu društva prema struci i preporuke za unaprjeđenje profesije

Social work represents an applied profession and academic discipline that promotes social change and development, social cohesion, empowerment and emancipation of individuals. This paper aimed to gain an insight into the perspective of social workers on working conditions and social attitudes towards the profession, with recommendations from professionals for advancing its current position. The thematic analysis was applied within a qualitative research framework. Research results indicated negative perceptions on working conditions among research participants – social workers in Croatia – pinpointing issues, such as financial insecurity, understaffing, inadequate office space, shortage of business vehicles for field visits, an excessive scope of work and administrative burden, disrespect for social workers’ dignity, and difficulties in establishing cooperation with service users. Social workers’ recommendations for addressing these issues concerned: improving working conditions (amendments to the legal framework, employment of professional staff and professional training), improving workplace security (reinforcing the public official status and increasing security staff), and promoting the social work profession, involving enhanced media relations, consistent communication and raising public awareness through best practices from the organisations and institutions in the system. Key words: social work; working conditions; perspectives; society