Human services in the context of work: Evolving and innovative roles for occupational social work

Globalizing economies, downsizing, rightsizing, mergers, and corporate acqu isitions continue to challenge work organizations, and impact the lives of workers and their families. These trends increase the needs far the provisi on of social work services to individuals who are employed in need of emplo yment or in transitional situations, to their families, and to work organiz ations, The challenges facing the world of work in the new millennium prese nt new opportunities for the social work profession in general, and for the field of occupational social work in particular. To face these challenges, the profession needs to put special emphasis on the diverse roles that soc ial workers can take in the work context, from the micro to the macro, both within work place settings and in the context of more traditional agencies , in local, national, and global contexts.