STRESS AND ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE

The relationship between social work and stress is a complex one which remains relatively under-explored. This paper examines issues arising from a comparative study of stress in three local authority social se rvices departments. The main focus is on the human resource management issues underpinning the experience of social work staff. In particula r, the role of organizational culture is explored and the notion of a 'culture of stress' is introduced. This is a key aspect of the theoret ical account presented. It offers an explanation of the identified dif ferences amongst the three authorities studied in terms of the subject ive experience of common stressors. The paper concludes with a discuss ion of the major implications for social work agencies in which such a n organizational culture has developed.