|
Our social networks shape how we engage the world around us. They are the way we connect to others, but also how we find our place in the larger community. Social networks can also be our way into the labor market. Social networks provide avenues for exploring new ideas, accessing resources and generally feeling part of a community. A social network can be as small as a family or as large as a region. The theme is important as a lack of social interactions and/or social skills left many participants feeling alone and unable to connect to the world of work. In this chapter there are two connected themes – Social Networks and Social Isolation. The first being the means that many participants felt was a way to employment and the latter being the effect of being disconnected from a community. Not having a strong social network meant that participants did not have resources to draw on to support them in their personal lives and in their job search. On a personal level those without a social network did not have others to rely on to help them deal with matters directly and indirectly related to work. In their search for work many felt they did not have people to draw on to help them find jobs or to act as references for jobs.
In this research Social Networks included all kinds of involvement, from friendships, to support groups, to professional organizations. The theme evolved through conversations with participants about the avenues through which they could obtain emotional or physical support and the problems they faced finding and maintaining involvement with individuals, groups and work. Social Isolation in this study refers to the outcome of limited or non-existent social networks. Social Isolation was described in a variety of ways by participants, some referred to feeling like a ghost, others to not feeling like a part of the community. Social Isolation in many cases was a negative feedback loop whereby participants once becoming isolated became less and less likely to be able to reconnect with their communities. Typically social isolation resulted in feelings of desperation and/or hopelessness. For some it was a prompt to action, but for others long standing social isolation led to them being unable to connect with others. Summary of Social Networks/Social Isolation Barriers The barriers were related to either the job finding and application process or a lack of support in the participants’ lives.
DESCRIPTION OF SOCIAL NETWORKS / SOCIAL ISOLATION
5.1 SOCIAL NETWORKSWhile investigating the issue of Social Networks / Social Isolation it became apparent that poor communication was a central feature in becoming a Discouraged Job Seeker. Many participants identified instances in their search for employment or in a job where poor communication either cost them a job or stopped them from accessing the resources they needed to become employed. Participants identified that they had difficulty in making themselves heard by employers and others and also being able to interpret messages in the workplace and elsewhere. We recognized that many participants lacked good communication skills. We feel this is in large part because most had limited social contact. In some cases it was due to their disability. Lynne, Jennifer, Emma, and Marg all had conditions that made their speech awkward. They would lose their place mid-sentence: they would have many extended pauses while speaking: they would trail off before finishing a statement. These participants had a hard time speaking and expressing themselves clearly during our in-depth interviews. Our interviews were informal and participants were to a large part asked open-ended questions and asked to help guide the discussion. The interviews were designed to be less intimidating situations than regular job interviews. There were no negative consequences if the interview did not go well. In discussing job interviews Jennifer (who has Asperger syndrome) spoke about how not having a social network limited her ability to communicate clearly.
In Jennifer’s case isolation was a self-perpetuating cycle. Her desperation to speak and interact due to her isolation made her difficult to speak with, which in turn ensured that she had less success in actually meeting and interacting with people. Some participants did not have the communication skills to get across their frustration in a constructive way. Fred who had worked as a construction labourer and later as a security guard saw his work environments as inherently hostile and prone to negative communication and interactions.
We learned later that Fred had taken an anger management course. When discussing his employment needs, it appeared he had learned from his earlier experiences. He referred to himself as a ‘lone wolf’ and was only interested in jobs such as security that met his need to be left alone.
At one of the last jobs Terry held he had been provided information by a co-worker that could potentially get another co-worker in trouble. The information was related to a safety issue. Not knowing how to communicate this information without getting a co-worker or himself in trouble he remained quiet. Assuming that he would do this the co-worker who had originally provided him the information reported Terry for not bringing the safety issue to management. He was subsequently fired. “Don’t leave a job until you have a new one” was a common phrase we heard throughout our research. Participants recognized that in leaving the work force their connection to the networks that could lead them to new jobs had been severed. Losing their connection to work left many participants feeling as though they had lost two essential pieces of knowledge necessary to get and maintain employment: knowledge of what jobs were available/whether they were actually available, and c) what the real requirements were for the jobs advertised. These were the barriers for some participants that led to them become Discouraged Job Seekers. Participants voiced significant frustration about what they perceived as a closed system of employment. Nearly all of our participants who had some post-secondary education (38% of participants) indicated some belief that getting the types of jobs they were interested in was based more on personal connections than on the actual competency of the applicant. However, many other participants with lower levels of education also felt the same about their inability to gain employment. Eva had been a direct beneficiary of this process in the past and consequently had little confidence in getting a position.
For Josh not having someone to speak on his behalf was a major problem. Josh has the sense that people are not willing to put their reputation behind others as it may pose a risk to their own job security should things not go well once a person is hired.
One characteristic that nearly all the participants had was a break of two or more years from employment. In some extreme cases the break was 10 or more years. The gap in employment history meant that the understanding of what jobs were and what they entailed was in some cases dated. The introduction of new technologies or work place practices left some participants feeling unable to compete with those already in the workforce. This knowledge barrier seemed insurmountable for some participants. For some, such as Fred, shifting the financial burden to the employee to supply work tools, such as a car, left them utterly unable to meet job requirements. In many cases the gap in employment also meant that participants were unsure of how to behave within a work place. Those of us who have remained in the workforce tend to understand how to manage daily interactions and stress levels as the pace of work (busy/slow times) changes throughout the day. We tend to know how to manage tasks and deal with those who may be rude, terse, or may require more of our time than we would like to give. We also tend to have a certain level of confidence in our ability to complete the task assigned and manage all the unspoken parts of a job that comprise the culture of our workplace. Participants were unsure or unable to manage these aspects of the job. Participant spoke about not knowing what was expected of them, how to establish themselves as a member of a team, problems reading indirect messages about their work performance from coworkers and employers. Terry was very forthright about how he felt about the topic of communicating in a work environment.
Participants felt most jobs go unadvertised and some participants felt that a number of advertised jobs were already filled. The problem of not being part of the working world meant that participants were unable to discover hidden jobs and were unable to get accurate information about jobs. Eva expressed considerable frustration at what she saw as being barred from the information she needed to get work.
JANET was considerably upset by the idea that funding for her field of work – agricultural research - appeared to be held specifically for those who were connected personally to research centers.
While most Discouraged Job Seekers did not have many connections to the world of work many did have family and friends who had an effect on their job search. At the best they were encouraged and at the worst they were pressured to find work; regardless, nearly all had something to say about how their family or friends viewed their search for work. Generally participants had a lot of guilt about not being employed and saw their unemployment as some personal failing. In most cases this did not come from their families or friends. In the case of Jennifer there was no push to get work from her family rather they allowed her to bring the issue up herself and would support her in her decision making. Ella had a supportive family but they felt due to her disability (Bi-Polar Disorder) it was best if she did not pursue work.
In some cases friends and family were incredulous as to why participants would even want to work.
Terry felt extreme and debilitating guilt about not being able to find work. His in-laws, who were aware of his limitations due to Angina and Diabetes, made him feel guilty despite knowing that his heart condition precluded him from nearly all work.
He also felt that he was socially ostracized due to his unemployment status.
In the case of Josh he was under considerable pressure from his father to get off of Income Assistance and get a job. Faced with the continual rejection to his applications he was already feeling poorly about his job search. The pressure from his father exacerbated the situation considerably and caused him to feel like a failure. This negative cycle led to Josh having extended periods of inactivity in his job search.
Eva’s situation placed her in the group known to us as the “sandwich generation” – people who have children and elderly parents to look after. Her self-worth was considerably diminished due to her inability to provide and care for her family the way she wanted.
5.2 SOCIAL ISOLATIONThe loss of a job, having a severe illness or moving to a new place, can put anyone at risk of becoming isolated. For many of our participants a traumatic life event, like a severe illness, led them to: 1) loose connection to a place or group of people, 2) caused them to need extended periods away from others, or 3) placed them in a totally new environment. The rural nature of Kings County means that not having a car limits an individual’s ability to be a part of groups beyond their immediate area or neighborhood. Even for those in areas served by Kings Transit, the local public bus service, their ability to get out is limited. This topic is covered more fully in Theme Chapter 6: Functional Barriers.
Other participants felt extreme isolation due to their past history or their disability. Bill, who has a Bi-Polar Disorder, felt he was not even considered a part of the community in which he lived.
Emma is living in the house where she was born. She knows many people she sees in her small community: very few acknowledge her and none befriend her. She obtained the majority of her social interaction through the organization for her specific condition. Despite many participants being associated with special needs groups they still felt isolated because of their conditions
For many of our participants work was not only a way to gain independence and financial security, it was a way to break out of their isolation. Terry who was severely limited in his employability had moved beyond seeing employment as a means to support himself and his spouse: it was a way for him to manage his depression.
The importance that participants placed on the role employment could play in helping them to feel more connected and a part of the community cannot be understated. In discussion of why they wanted employment nearly all participants spoke about the social aspects of work, how work was a way to make friends, network and generally have a connection to the community. “It’s the small things.” Is something we heard from a number of participants. Small setbacks or sudden changes in a routine could really disturb some of the participants’ ability to get through their daily tasks. Missing a bus, not getting up at the right time, forgetting to make a lunch are problems that have relatively simple solutions. For some participants however, due to their challenge or disability these small inconveniences required a lot of effort to address. Early on in our research an individual who grew up in Kings County suggested that having someone who is always available to speak with you about all these minor problems is needed. This role can typically be filled by a spouse, a friend, or a family member; however being isolated like many of our participants were, meant that they lacked these connections. The importance of having people or groups to rely on for support is something that most people have some understanding of, whether it is family, friends or co-workers. While Employment Supports and other social services do assist most people who lack resources it cannot provide intensive, emotional support. While nearly all participants talked about the significant roles that people who listened to them filled in their lives, one story in particular illustrates the power of a good social network. Emma was placed on a regime of pain killers due to chronic pain she has as a result of a brain injury. The pain killers are addictive and Emma found that in time she was dependent upon them to go about her daily activities.
Emma’s perception was that the system that was set up to help her deal with her pain, had actually created a situation that was making her life worse. Rather than return to that system she accepted the help of friends to regain control of her mind and life. Many of our participants lacked connections entirely or they lacked those that would have the resources to be able to do for Emma what her friends did for her. Kings County is a small place. There are a limited number of places to shop, be entertained and engage in recreation. Consequently remaining anonymous is a difficult task unless you are socially isolated. For some who have less than ideal work or personal histories, they can be a significant barrier to employment.
This statement by Josh sums up what a lot of participants felt about trying to get jobs in Kings County, that the area is not big enough to allow people to leave their past behind. Two of our participants had criminal records for which they had been penalized and were looking to get into the workforce in order to move their lives forward. However, both felt that because they were known in the community they were not being considered for jobs.
A common phrase we heard during our project was Come from Away. This refers to those who are living in Kings County who were not raised in the area. Through discussions with many people it was mentioned numerous times that Coming from Away was a barrier to employment. It appeared that regardless of whether people just arrived to the area or they had been living in Kings County for over a decade they were still considered to be a Come from Away. Participants who were new to the area had the opposite situation to Josh and Jim who were known locally, but with the same result, being denied entry to the labor market.
RESPONSE FROM EMPLOYERSEmployers were clear that a central component to a person being hired was how well the employer thought they would integrate into the workplace: for some it was a primary determinant. The ability to communicate effectively was also central. The ability to take in and interpret verbal instructions was vital, but more so was the ability to ask questions. If a person was unable to understand a task then not taking the time to ask for clarification or help was seen to be more detrimental than not being able to do the task. Coming from Away as one employer pointed out could be a barrier to employment as it reduced the certainty with which the employer could check a person’s references.
RESPONSE FROM EMPLOYMENT SERVICE STAFFComing from Away was brought up a number of times by Employment Services Staff.
This perspective suggests that the Valley region including Kings County is a relatively insular community and that jobs are not gained solely on the basis of capability. This suggests that participants’ perceptions that the local labor market is a closed system are to some extent correct. In discussion with Employment Service Staff we asked about ways to combat this problem, of how to help a person integrate into the community and get connected to the necessary networks.
Most job search services have something to say about networking. For example Service Canada suggests that having a network is a near essential component to landing a job.[1] One of the key components is utilizing networks to access the hidden job market, those jobs that employers seek to fill through personal contacts. Service Canada suggests that a large number of jobs fall within this category. They suggest people looking for jobs directly ask those in their community if they know of jobs available. Here is a list of suggested contacts:
They also suggest a number of strategies for developing and using a network. They strategies are essentially filling positive roles in people’s lives – asking about how people are doing, reaching out if they might be interested in something, assisting if there are problems, phoning on birthdays. The problem with these strategies for Discouraged Job Seeker is that they may lack communication skills, the confidence to communicate, knowledge of where to connect with others and money or means to go out and meet people. Also many are in “communities” where working is not common and therefore have practically no connection to the world of work. Developing a social network takes considerable time. Losing one can happen very suddenly. While employment support services at all levels appreciated the importance of networking, none we found directly addressed the issue other than a pilot project entitled, Volunteer Placement Program, sponsored by the Canadian Mental Health Association – Kings County. Despite the impact being quite severe for participants, causing them to have mental health problems and/or communication problems, which in turn impacts employability, there is limited work directly addressing the issue of social networks / social isolation. Our recommendations are:
Social ties to individuals, groups, places of work and the community had a significant impact on how our participants saw themselves and what resources they were able to access. The largest barriers were related to information about jobs and what jobs are available. Not being in the workforce was seen as a major barrier but so was being classified as “have a history” or being a “Come from Away”. A major barrier for many participants was not having someone to speak with openly and honestly about work and their lives in general. An observation that both researchers made was that most participants seemed relieved after interviews: that the chance to simply vent their frustrations was “therapeutic”. Lacking a person or group to fill this role was troubling for many participants. In sum Discouraged Job Seeker need opportunities to make connections with employers and workplaces but more importantly they need to be able to develop connections with individuals or groups that can support them... Discouraged Job Seekers need to be discussed but more importantly they need to be a part of the discussion. [1] Service Canada, Job Search Tools http://www.jobsetc.gc.ca/eng/categories.jsp?category_id=370&crumb=1&crumb=34&crumb=107 Back to Table of Contents |
 |
© Pathways to Work Research Project.
Banner photo by Linda Davidson, Side photo by HIRATA Yasuyuki
Banner photo by Linda Davidson, Side photo by HIRATA Yasuyuki
The Pathways to Work Research Project is funded under the Canada-Nova Scotia Labour Market Agreement. 