Industrial Social work
Social work developed as a service to the people. The International Federation of Social Workers defines social work as a practice based profession and an academic discipline that promotes social change and development, social cohesion, and the empowerment and liberation of people. Industrial social work is an area of service delivery in the industries and in addition in social work activities. Industrial social work is influenced by a number factors such as the cultural, historical and socio- economic factors. It is understood to be the application of social work methods and skills in the industrial setting. Since its development and provision industrial social work has improved the work setting and production levels in different industries.
Industrial Social Work is also referred to as occupational social work. According to Terblanche (1989;241) “industrial social work is the rendering of social services to the employee within the context of his role as employee, member of the community with the objective and aim to improve his functioning as an employee”. This focus on how the social work methods are applied in industries with the purpose of improving the employee’s ability to cope. The practice has important implications in the industry. It generally improves the working condition, production and employee, employer relations. Industrial social work has positive outcomes. It is different from Labour Welfare which focuses on the voluntary efforts that done by the employer in the work place to improve employees working conditions than what is expected by the law.