Are there any social workers on here?

[Scorpioanne]

Do you feel awkward wearing your jewellry at work especially when you know your clients have a tough time buying groceries? I sometimes feel guilty for having nice jewellry that looks way more expensive than it was or having quality accessories like shoes and purses.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

I'm not a social worker, however, if I were, I wouldn't wear jewelry around people who were struggling and living off of food stamps. I'd wear a plain gold wedding band and simple earrings (take my diamond studs out - for sure!).

 

[Dancing Fire]

Date: 5/13/2009 10:48:37 PM
Author: MC
I'm not a social worker, however, if I were, I wouldn't wear jewelry around people who were struggling and living off of food stamps. I'd wear a plain gold wedding band and simple earrings (take my diamond studs out - for sure!).

believe me MC...some of these people are buying the expensive foods with free money. i see it all the time at the Asian markets where i shop. remember the lobster thread?

 

[asscherisme]

Date: 5/13/2009 10:48:37 PM
Author: MC
I''m not a social worker, however, if I were, I wouldn''t wear jewelry around people who were struggling and living off of food stamps. I''d wear a plain gold wedding band and simple earrings (take my diamond studs out - for sure!).

I agree. I am going to an orientation this week to volunteer at a local food pantry and I''m definately leaving the jewelry at home!

 

[BeachRunner]

I am a social worker, and I work with people with developmental disabilities. Most of my clients live in natural family environments where most of my families do not struggle to put food on the table.

I have worked with the mental health population, and that is a completely different ball game. Although when I worked with this population, I was not engaged and did not have an ering. If I worked with them today, I would not feel bad at all with wearing my jewelry.

 

[BeachRunner]

Date: 5/13/2009 11:49:29 PM
Author: BeachRunner
I am a social worker, and I work with people with developmental disabilities. Most of my clients live in natural family environments where most of my families do not struggle to put food on the table.


I have worked with the mental health population, and that is a completely different ball game. Although when I worked with this population, I was not engaged and did not have an ering. If I worked with them today, I would not feel bad at all with wearing my jewelry.

ETA: I also wear jeans to work almost daily. I am not required to wear business atire, unless attending a meeting, so it makes it easier in that regard. The only piece of jewelry I do wear is my ering.

 

[anyname]

i''m not a social worker however i am a counselor; and it''s something that i''ve thought about. I wouldn''t wear any jewelry or carry my nice bags. I don''t know about feeling guilty about it though.

 

[Elmorton]

Not a social worker, but this came up in conversation once with a friend who is. If I remember correctly, her answer was that clients already know that if you''re the social worker, you''re in a different income bracket and have a higher level of education, so it''s no different than showing up to work in a car or wearing business casual clothing - all of these things denote your financial status.

 

[Dannielle]

Date: 5/14/2009 12:20:07 AM
Author: Elmorton
Not a social worker, but this came up in conversation once with a friend who is. If I remember correctly, her answer was that clients already know that if you''re the social worker, you''re in a different income bracket and have a higher level of education, so it''s no different than showing up to work in a car or wearing business casual clothing - all of these things denote your financial status.

This is how I feel, i''m studying psychology and plan on working in drug and alcohol rehabilitation.. I have every intention of wearing my jewellery.

 

[CNOS128]

I''m not a social worker, but sometimes I work with disadvantaged people. I always feel self-conscious, especially when the work I''m doing is trying to figure out a way for the people to pay off all their debt. I usually don''t wear jewelry when I do this sort of work.
It''s not that I think it will bother them, but it''s hard for me to sit there wearing a diamond ring and earrings when people are telling me about the money they borrowed to start a business, which then failed due to a sinking economy, and now they''re working 3 jobs just to pay the gas/electric bills and their home is in foreclosure and their kid is sick and...

 

[loriken214]

Even though I''m home on a disability retirement, DH and I are doing very well despite the tough economy. When I go to volunteer or am around people who are having a hard time, I don''t wear my flashy jewelry. It is something that I feel uncomfortable doing when I know others aren''t as fortunate as I am at the moment.

Some members of my family are quite wealthy, but you would NEVER know it because they are embarrassed to wear anything that makes them look like they have money. They comment on my jewelry all of the time and I''ve tended to not wear the fancier things around them....they have no idea what I own.

Lori

 

[AGBF]

I''''m a social worker and the issue wouldn''t come up because my usual jewelry is a plain gold wedding band and a watch from the drugstore. I do not even wear earrings daily. (I am unable to work for family reasons right now.)

If I were to go back to work, I assume that the only jewelry change I would make would be to add a pair of plain stud earrings to my ensemble!

I also carry a Vera Bradley handbag, so I don''t have to worry about whether my purse will look expensive .

AGBF

 

[AGBF]

Date: 5/13/2009 10:00:35 PM
Author:Scorpioanne

Do you feel awkward wearing your jewellry at work especially when you know your clients have a tough time buying groceries? I sometimes feel guilty for having nice jewellry that looks way more expensive than it was or having quality accessories like shoes and purses.

Scorpioanne, I had to run out earlier today after I first replied to your question. (My daughter is in a day treatment program and I have to leave the house by 7:30 to get her there by 8:30!)

Right before I left I realized what a dunce I had been. Here I am, a social worker for 26 years (not counting school) and I hadn't tuned in at all to your question, I had just skated right over its surface!

You didn't need me to tell you what I wore to work; what I wear is irrelevant. What is relevant to you is what is going on inside you.

You are clearly a compassionate woman who has the right stuff to be a social worker. You are the kind of person who should be in the field, the kind of person who has a calling as others have to the ministry, the priesthood, or the rabbinate. Social workers are different from other people. They have to be. They have to want to work with people who have problems...and most people do not want to do that. Most people blame people who have problems. Social workers cannot afford to do that. They may see that the cause of problems sometimes lies partially within people as well as partially outside people, but they cannot afford to blame the victims.

I believe that your feeling of discomfort is just a sign of your sensitivity to others, a sign that you are in the right field. I am glad to be in the same profession as you.

Hugs,
AGBF

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Date: 5/14/2009 12:02:51 PM
Author: AGBF





Scorpioanne, I had to run out earlier today after I first replied to your question. (My daughter is in a day treatment program and I have to leave the house by 7:30 to get her there by 8:30!)

AGBF - what kind of day treatment program is your daughter in? I hope she''s doing okay.

 

[AGBF]

Date: 5/14/2009 1:05:40 PM
Author: MC

AGBF - what kind of day treatment program is your daughter in? I hope she's doing okay.

Thanks for caring, MC . It's a partial hospital program for adolescents with psychiatric problems. Some of the kids also have drug abuse problems, although my daughter does not. I have discussed my daughter's depression here before, but this year it took a new and frightening turn and she was evaluated for bipolar disorder. We lived through some harrowing incidents in the past few weeks, but the reality is that I do not think that she is bipolar at all. She is off all the medications for bipolar illness and on one atypical antidepressant...and it is as if someone waved a magic wand over her.

I am very tentative right now...but it seems as if we had a miracle. I am thanking Pricescopers for their prayers.

AGBF

 

[Scorpioanne]

Date: 5/14/2009 12:20:07 AM
Author: Elmorton
Not a social worker, but this came up in conversation once with a friend who is. If I remember correctly, her answer was that clients already know that if you''re the social worker, you''re in a different income bracket and have a higher level of education, so it''s no different than showing up to work in a car or wearing business casual clothing - all of these things denote your financial status.

That makes sense. I do work with a diverse population so have clients of all backgrounds (I work at a Women''s Centre that deals with issues of violence against women - sexual assault, adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse and domestice violence). With clients who are in the same income bracket as I am I don''t think about it but with those who are on social assistance I feel a bit guilty.

 

[Scorpioanne]

Date: 5/14/2009 12:02:51 PM
Author: AGBF

Date: 5/13/2009 10:00:35 PM
Author:Scorpioanne

Do you feel awkward wearing your jewellry at work especially when you know your clients have a tough time buying groceries? I sometimes feel guilty for having nice jewellry that looks way more expensive than it was or having quality accessories like shoes and purses.

Scorpioanne, I had to run out earlier today after I first replied to your question. (My daughter is in a day treatment program and I have to leave the house by 7:30 to get her there by 8:30!)

Right before I left I realized what a dunce I had been. Here I am, a social worker for 26 years (not counting school) and I hadn''t tuned in at all to your question, I had just skated right over its surface!

You didn''t need me to tell you what I wore to work; what I wear is irrelevant. What is relevant to you is what is going on inside you.

You are clearly a compassionate woman who has the right stuff to be a social worker. You are the kind of person who should be in the field, the kind of person who has a calling as others have to the ministry, the priesthood, or the rabbinate. Social workers are different from other people. They have to be. They have to want to work with people who have problems...and most people do not want to do that. Most people blame people who have problems. Social workers cannot afford to do that. They may see that the cause of problems sometimes lies partially within people as well as partially outside people, but they cannot afford to blame the victims.

I believe that your feeling of discomfort is just a sign of your sensitivity to others, a sign that you are in the right field. I am glad to be in the same profession as you.

Hugs,
AGBF

Thanks so much for your insightful comment, actually it made me cry or maybe it is Grey''s Anatomy that is making me cry.

I am very passionate about my work and never take the advantages I have for granted. I teach social work as well and try very hard to instill the passion in my students. I do think that those of us who are "called" to a profession tend to get paid less

.

 

[loriken214]

Date: 5/14/2009 4:05:47 PM
Author: AGBF

Date: 5/14/2009 1:05:40 PM
Author: MC

AGBF - what kind of day treatment program is your daughter in? I hope she''s doing okay.

Thanks for caring, MC . It''s a partial hospital program for adolescents with psychiatric problems. Some of the kids also have drug abuse problems, although my daughter does not. I have discussed my daughter''s depression here before, but this year it took a new and frightening turn and she was evaluated for bipolar disorder. We lived through some harrowing incidents in the past few weeks, but the reality is that I do not think that she is bipolar at all. She is off all the medications for bipolar illness and on one atypical antidepressant...and it is as if someone waved a magic wand over her.

I am very tentative right now...but it seems as if we had a miracle. I am thanking Pricescopers for their prayers.

AGBF

Hi Deb,

Many prayers for your daughter''s comfort and healing! I, too, think I am bipolar, but cannot tolerate the necessary medications due to other illnesses that I have. Do you mind sharing what the medication is.....I might be able to take it.

Lori

 

[AGBF]

Date: 5/15/2009 7:29:06 AM
Author: loriken214

Hi Deb,

Many prayers for your daughter's comfort and healing! I, too, think I am bipolar, but cannot tolerate the necessary medications due to other illnesses that I have. Do you mind sharing what the medication is.....I might be able to take it.

Lori

Thank you so much for your kind words, Lori. I am afraid that I have started to hijack this thread with my daughter's issues, which makes me uncomfortable, though. I would be glad to discuss medication with you if you wish, but perhaps you could start another thread either here in Hangout or in Family, Home & Health if you would like to talk more?

Best wishes,
Deb/AGBF

 

[Rhea]

I don''t do social work anymore, but do work at a charity with homeless people. I wear jewellery to work and try to keep it small. I have a half carat engagement ring that was fine in the US when I did social work, but in England it''s too large to wear to work most days. I think it''s the way that it''s set, but it gets commented on and that makes me uncomfortable. I usually wear a ring of some type, a wedding band or another engagement style ring I have that is more noticable but has a smaller stone, and earrings.

My homeless clients know my background. They aren''t stupid people. I have honest conversations with my clients about weekend plans and general chit-chat. There''s no doubt in their minds that I earn a descent living. As long as I''m not flaunting and taking others around me into consideration I don''t see the problem.

Funny story. When I did do social work in the US I once had a client notice my engagement ring (less than 0.5 carat centre stone with side bagettes) and tell me it was too small, FH didn''t love me enough, and wouldn''t be able to support me.

 

[AGBF]

Date: 5/15/2009 12:33:55 PM
Author: Addy

I have a half carat engagement ring that was fine in the US when I did social work, but in England it's too large to wear to work most days.

Addy,

What nationality are you?

AGBF

 

[Rhea]

Date: 5/15/2009 12:46:27 PM
Author: AGBF

Date: 5/15/2009 12:33:55 PM

Author: Addy


I have a half carat engagement ring that was fine in the US when I did social work, but in England it''s too large to wear to work most days.

Addy,


What nationality are you?


AGBF

Technically, both American and British! I was born in the US and just naturalised as British!