This paper presents findings from the author’s critical autoethnographic analysis of their unionizing efforts at a nonprofit organization, showcasing how organizational structure and culture can create barriers to social work’s professional obligations and highlighting the emotional and psychological toll labor organizing can have on a person with various marginalized identities.
Learning Objectives:
At the end of this session, attendees should be able to:
Examine some of the challenges and risks social workers with marginalized identities and disabilities can face at nonprofits when organizational policies, procedures, and culture contradict the Code of Ethics and other professional commitments.
Identify specific ways that social workers are uniquely positioned to improve workplace environments through organizational strategic planning and internal assessments, and how to leverage social worker’s skills and training to support those engaging in labor organizing and other organizational change efforts.
Develop capacity for understanding the benefits of critical autoethnography for social workers as a useful tool for research and analysis; to uplift marginalized voices; for exploring strategies that address social justice and other professional obligations; and to support healing after traumatic events.
