TY - JOUR
T1 - A qualitative study of women care professionals’ experiences in social service non-profit organizations in Israel
AU - Livnat, Inbar
AU - Almog-Bar, Michal
AU - Soffer, Michal
AU - Ajzenstadt, Mimi
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
PY - 2023/3/28
Y1 - 2023/3/28
N2 - Although women play a significant role in non-profit organizations as employees, volunteers, and clients, there is insufficient knowledge about these women and their unique work experiences in the current era, which is characterized by outsourcing of social services. This study explored work experiences among women in professional care settings of social service non-profit organizations (SSNPOs). Forty in-depth interviews were conducted with women with postsecondary education working as care professionals (such as social workers and occupational therapists) in Israeli SSNPOs. The sample reflected Israel’s geographical, religious, ethnic, and job (full-time and part-time) diversity. Interviewees were asked about their employment experiences, struggles, and challenges. Thematic analysis was used. The findings shed light on how care work in SSNPOs enters the private sphere and is internalized, i.e. boundaries between home and work that are continuously blurred and endanger employees’ well-being. Our study suggests that women working in care professions in contracted SSNPOs are more vulnerable due to their working conditions, despite their postsecondary education and defined professions. Negative psychosocial outcomes are the major challenge for this population.
AB - Although women play a significant role in non-profit organizations as employees, volunteers, and clients, there is insufficient knowledge about these women and their unique work experiences in the current era, which is characterized by outsourcing of social services. This study explored work experiences among women in professional care settings of social service non-profit organizations (SSNPOs). Forty in-depth interviews were conducted with women with postsecondary education working as care professionals (such as social workers and occupational therapists) in Israeli SSNPOs. The sample reflected Israel’s geographical, religious, ethnic, and job (full-time and part-time) diversity. Interviewees were asked about their employment experiences, struggles, and challenges. Thematic analysis was used. The findings shed light on how care work in SSNPOs enters the private sphere and is internalized, i.e. boundaries between home and work that are continuously blurred and endanger employees’ well-being. Our study suggests that women working in care professions in contracted SSNPOs are more vulnerable due to their working conditions, despite their postsecondary education and defined professions. Negative psychosocial outcomes are the major challenge for this population.
KW - Nonprofit organizations
KW - contracting out
KW - professionals
KW - social services
KW - women
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85152012569&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/09589236.2023.2191938
DO - 10.1080/09589236.2023.2191938
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AN - SCOPUS:85152012569
SN - 0958-9236
VL - 33
SP - 19
EP - 30
JO - Journal of Gender Studies
JF - Journal of Gender Studies
IS - 1
ER -