Arab social workers navigating multiple jobs in Israel: a qualitative investigation of their experiences

Qualitative inductive phenomenological research investigated social workers forced to hold multiple jobs to ensure their income, tracing their motivations for employment in various jobs and the implications for social work. Purposive sampling was used to select research participants. Data were drawn from semi-structured in-depth interviews with 19 Arab social workers in Israel working in social services bureaus. Interviews were conducted between January to March 2022. It was found that financial needs and aspirations are distinct drivers for holding multiple jobs. Taking an additional job in and outside their profession increased the social worker's income above the poverty line. The price for this was wasteful inputs; personal resources were needed to adapt to dual demands in different workplaces. The social workers reported misfit between different workplaces: different professional values, mandates, role substance, organisational interests, intervention methods and mentors’ emphases. They were unsatisfied by their inferior status at work, their physical health deteriorated.