Is There Really a Problem with Hiring Rural Social Service Staff? An Exploratory Study Among Social Service Supervisors in Rural Minnesota
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2010
Abstract
A convenience sample of rural-based social service supervisors was surveyed using an exploratory design to investigate problems associated with hiring and retaining rural social service staff. Findings suggest that geographic distance from standard metropolitan statistical areas predicts an increase in difficulty of hiring. Evidence also suggests that there is a preference for hiring degreed social workers, and the educational level of staff hired differs significantly from the educational level of workers that supervisors stated they would prefer to hire. Additionally, supervisors were asked open-ended questions about successes and challenges of hiring workers. The responses suggested that supervisors prefer to hire employees who are familiar with rural environments. Hiring challenges cited were lack of qualified applicants, low wages, and rural agencies being used as employment "stepping stones."
Department
Social Work
Publication Title
Families in Sociey
Recommended Citation
Mackie, P.F.E. & Lips, R.A. (2010). Is There Really a Problem with Hiring Rural Social Service Staff? An Exploratory Study Among Social Service Supervisors in Rural Minnesota. Families in Society, 91(4), 433-439.
DOI
10.1606/1044-3894.4035
Link to Publisher Version (DOI)
Publisher's Copyright and Source
Copyright © 2010 Alliance for Children and Families. Article published by Alliance for Children and Families in Families in Society, volume 91, issue number 4, 2010, pages 433-439. Available online:
https://doi.org/10.1606/1044-3894.4035
