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A subject index for the book "Global Perspectives of Occupational Social Work" is presented.

Occupational social work was first introduced in the United States at the dawn of the 20th Century in response to heightened industrialization, rapid urbanization and an influx of immigrants with numerous social needs. In the absence of institutionalized social welfare services and increasing consumer demands, leading industrialists of the era assumed the role in the provision of social welfare services. While paternalistic in its approach, these early employer sponsored social services set the tone for the workplace programs that have evolved over the past 100 years. While these services have been offered under many different auspices such as unions, large corporations, small employers, federal, state and local government agencies, drug and alcohol treatment programs, hospital and related health care services, the military, and by major health insurers, social workers have played a pivotal role in the evolution of workplace human services. This article traces the journey of the occupational social worker in the U.S. and the evolution of work related delivery systems. It also examines the unique perspective that social workers bring to the world of work and the resiliency with which they have been able to assist workers and work organizations respond and adapt to a rapidly changing workplace and environment. This article also explores the roles social workers play in the areas of adapting to technological and organizational change, understanding and accepting diversity, health care cost containment, economic fluctuations and job insecurity, work induced stress and illness, managing trauma, conflict and violence, work and family issues, and the recent infusion of public welfare recipients into the workplace. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article describes the development and current practices of occupational social work in South Africa. As a means to accomplish this, the author conducted in-depth interviews with social workers employed in work settings throughout South Africa. Workplace practices, education and training and the challenges facing occupational social workers in South Africa are explained and analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article traces the development and current practice of occupational social work in Israel. Governmental structures, the health care system and the delivery .of social services through the public and private sectors are identified. The prevalence of social workers employed in each of the sectors is also reviewed. The roles, functions, and perceptions of occupational social workers in the Israeli workplace are analyzed. Professional preparation and training of occupational social workers are discussed. The article concludes with the author's future projections for the continued development and impact of occupational social work in Israel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article describes the development and current practices of occupational social work in Ireland. The author traces the origins of social work practice in the Irish workplace, the impact of the human relations movement on early industrial social work and the reemergence of occupational social welfare services. An analysis of Irish occupational welfare programs and recently emerging employee assistance programs is also presented. The article concludes with a discussion of the future of occupational social work in Ireland and the impetus European Community Directives are expected to have on improving and developing the health and welfare of employees in Ireland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article describes the development and current practices of occupational social workers in India. A review of the industrialization of India and subsequent child labor and worker protection laws that have been instituted is presented. The role and responsibilities of industrial social welfare officers introduced by statute in the 1940s to work settings such as mines, plantations and factories are also explored. The work and influence of the Sri Ram Centre for Industrial Relations in New Delhi and the Bombay Labor Institute in promoting and shaping the tasks of industrial social welfare are examined. Practice models, education and training and future challenges faced by India's occupational social workers are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article describes the development and current practices of occupational social workers in Germany. It provides a history of the industrial health and social welfare system in Germany, including the placement of governesses in factories to help women adjust to entering the industrialized workforce as a result of World War I, and the transformation of these early workplace helpers to purveyors of Nazi ideology with the rise of the Third Reich and the subsequent efforts to restore their credibility. The author also traces the evolution of occupational social welfare functions over the past six decades to present day and suggests how this evolution is patterned after the social, political, economic and labor force changes that have marked Germany throughout this period. The predominance of occupational social workers as employees rather than contractors or consultants and employer preferences for internal programs are also explored as is the general absence of occupational social work services in the public not-for-profit sector. A successful alcohol intervention and treatment program developed for City of Stuttgart employees is one exception discussed. The author concludes the article by identifying efforts undertaken by the Professional Association of Occupational Social Workers to promote the recognition of occupational social workers and their value to a healthier and more productive workplace. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article describes the development and current practices of occupational social work in Australia. It explores the dissonance that has occurred in the social work profession arising from the conflicting views of the socioeconomic status of clients that social workers are most obligated to serve. The effect of a major shift towards privatization of the Australian social service system and the ability of occupational social workers to more readily adapt to this shift based on their experience outside of the public sector is also examined. The specific activities and contributions occupational social workers have made to assist workers in restructuring and downsizing is highlighted. Limitations of schools of social work to train occupational social workers are also explored. The article concludes with a discussion of the challenges faced by Australian occupational social workers in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the last two decades we have seen a significant increase in social work interest and presence in the world of work. This article provides an overview of the growing field of occupational social work, discusses its historical roots, and presents a typology of five different service models which are currently provided by occupational social workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents quotes from notable people in occupational social work. University of Maryland professor Dale A. Masi recommends the "Global Perspectives of Occupational Social Work" book for first year social work students. Riaan van Zyl, professor of the University of Louisville in Kentucky, contends that the book enables readers to tackle issues in different issues. Brian McKendrick, Emeritus Professor of Social Work at the University of the Witwaterstand in South Africa, asserts that the book will stimulate both practitioners and students.

This section discusses various articles published within the issue, including one on a historical context and a conceptualization of occupational social work and another on the importance of social work skills in the area of occupational health and disability.

The article discusses various reports published within the issue, including one on the differences in the roles of occupational social workers and the responsibilities of each in the social, political and economic climates that shaped their workplaces.

The article profiles R. Paul Maiden, Associate Professor of Social Work in the College of Health and Public Affairs at the University of Central Florida in Orlando. He teaches Strategies in Employee Assistance Programs, Social Policy and Interventions with Substance Abusers. Maiden possesses extensive international experience which includes directing a faculty exchange with the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa. He has published several works in the field of occupational social work such as substance abuse and workplace legislation.