Managerial tensions: Personal insecurity vs. professional responsibility

Protecting and nuturing the managerial supervisor is the: topic addressed i n this paper. The human service system is undergoing dramatic change, as ag encies are downsizing, merging, and outsourcing. In this context, employmen t at-will, whistle-blowers, and trade unionism for professionals have emerg ed as issues. Managerial supervisors face serious dilemmas in these situati ons including the need to provide more support for workers who face increas ed job demands and job insecurity. Supervisors are also contending with new roles and demands that may conflict with their concept of professional beh avior. The paper concludes with suggestions for how organizations can suppo rt supervisory managers and staff in this challenging time. (C) 2001 by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved.