SOCIAL-WORKERS AND POLITICS - BEYOND THE HATCH ACT

For more than 50 years, social workers and other public service employ ees have been subject to real and perceived restrictions of federal an d state laws governing political activity. The result has been a passi vity by the social work profession in responding to issues of advocacy and social reform and general confusion with regard to federal and st ate rules governing political behavior. This article examines the hist orical context of governmental control over employee political activit ies and the implications for social work practice. It offers concrete suggestions to social workers interested in exploring political action , particularly at a time when there is significant public distrust of elected and appointed officials.