The Public Eye: Rural human service workers’ personal experiences of their visibility and safety and the impact on job stress
Using qualitative and quantitative data gained from the authors’ two Australian studies, together with international research, this paper examines how visibility in the community, job safety and stress issues can affect rural human service workers and their families. Whilst research indicates that rural practitioners are generally highly satisfied with their work and lifestyles, they can also be subjected, at times, to unacceptable levels of job stress and strain. Harassment and bullying by clients, or their relatives or friends, can be ongoing and damaging. Practitioner’s safety, and that of their families, can be jeopardized. Physical violence and harassment were found to be frequently under reported or dismissed as “just part of the job”, and contributed to workplace stress and burnout. High visibility in the rural community appears to be a significant factor influencing worker stress, and needs to be viewed as a systemic and structural factor. However, employers and colleagues often attributed stress reactions to the individual practitioner’s inability to cope with the demands of rural practice.
This paper will discuss the real safety issues for rural human service workers and explores the diverse factors which contribute to, or mitigate, the job stress and burnout they can experience. Educators, communities, employers and practitioners are offered insights and strategies to address the preparation and support needs of staff, and to enhance agency’ protocols and procedures to ensure their safety and security.