Assessing Client Needs from a Socio-Politically Astute Point of View - Case Study Example

Heading: Clients Needs Your Name: Course Name: Professors’ Name: Date Mike is a 45 year old man who works as a boiler maker in Australia. Currently he is experiencing serious problems at his work place resulting from the nature of his work. Because he works at the mines, Mike lives in the neighborhood that has a population of more than 30,000 people. This is a place located in the Western Australia desert, about eight hours-drive to the east of Perth. Because of the mining industry, the place is considered to be Australia’s gold spot. In the industry, Mike employs his trade in welding and repairs of big machinery, which is used in running the mines. Explicitly, Mike has certain issues resulting from the nature of his work. This is because, recently, he decided to seek counseling in order to get a solution to the weird feeling that he has been experiencing of late. According to him, in the past six months, he has developed anxiety and depression, especially whenever he is from work. As a remedy to his situation, Mike decided to resort to drinking more than usual hoping that things would improve for good. Nonetheless, the decision seems to have aggravated the situation because he has since found himself struggling to handle many hangovers in work place. He fears for his situation because has compromised his safety at work place, especially now that he handles dangerous machines. Clearly, Mike requires an urgent solution to his problems because he feels that he has burnt out. In fact, the most boring thing about his job is the fact that he has to turn the machines, and stop frequently to oil and grease it before going back to same process. Mike also admits that he has tried his best to cope with the situation, but has failed. He says that he has reached a point in which he cannot take it anymore. Besides, he says that the stress and anxiety he is going through worsens each day, yet he does not understand what the problem is. Of late, the client fears that he might get be giving in to his depressing situation. He even admits that he has tried alcohol drinking, but realized that it only further complicates the situation. Another issue that Mike seems to face is fatigue. This is evident in that the company has a high demand for its minerals; hence, more work has to be done in order to maintain its supplies to clients. The high demand for Mike’s services in the company is brought up by the fact that the company won a great contract with a key Chinese mineral importer. Consequently, a lot of maintenance and repairs demanded in the company has made him overwork. Because of the high demand in work place, he hardly gets time to unwind and spend time with his family and friends. Lack of a proper holiday is another major issue that is aggravating the client’s problems at work (Bradley, 2011, pp.102-104). In fact, he admits that he has not had an opportunity to take be off work since three years ago. This is unhealthy because it affects an individual’s effectiveness and performance in work place. In addition, a holiday is highly indispensable for any organization that desires to have a great performance and achieve its objectives. Companies that regularly allow their employees to breaks are very effective. This is because, while on leave, workers can unwind, and regain the lost energy. This is beneficial because individuals feel fresh and motivated to achieve organizational objectives when they resume work (Giacalone, R. & Jurkiewicz, 2003, pp. 302-303). With the understanding of these facts, it is justifiable to say that Mike needs a break from work. Furthermore, the case study clearly demonstrates Mike’s insufficient time for his family, friends, and his hobbies. Before the company made new working agreements, he says that the situation was better than as it is today. He even says that then, he would fully enjoy his weekends doing fishing at Esperence with some of his friends. Besides, he would work for 38 hours a week. Then, he would be given some time to work over the weekend. However, the client would only take the weekend offers once in two months. Since the company made new agreements, work has doubled up; hence forcing the employees to work extra hours a week. For instance, Mike’s working schedule has changed from 38 to over 50 hours a week in order to maintain machinery’s effectiveness. As a result, he is facing a lot of pressure from work because he has to put up with the company requirements. Therefore, the cause of Mike’s feelings of depression, anxiety, and fatigue is overworking, coupled with lack of leisure time. Additionally, the introduction of a roster system by the company has proven to be problematic for Mike. The fact that the system works 24 hours day throughout the week forces Mike and the workmates to work in shifts. In fact, the case study shows that the client hardly gets sufficient sleep because he works throughout the day while on shift. At times, he has found himself working on the system on a back-to-back basis whereby he starts work at 7 am and completes at 3 pm, the following day. Therefore, this client is in dire need of adequate rest in order to function effectively. What is more, Mike feels incapacitated in that he finds it hard to catch up with his close workmates. The fact that none of them has a standard routine further complicates the situation, for they are not involved in decisions concerning their days off. It is only by chance that Mike, at times, gets a break coincidentally with his colleagues. This is a serious problem as Mike is denied of the opportunity to interact with other employees. Imperatively, interaction between employees is of great significance because it enables them to share knowledge and skills that are beneficial to the company. Another problem that Mike is experiencing is a rise in the cost of living. The fact that mining is a booming business in the region has caused a rise in amount of rent paid by the tenants around the mines. Currently, the client and his workmates have to pay an average of over $350.00 per week. In addition, the price of food has been on the rise by a rate of 8% for the last three years. Although he got a pay rise of $18.00 per hour, Mike still feels financially strained; hence worsening his problems. With the understanding of the above problems, it is explicit that Mike is facing a tough time in life that requires a lot of understanding and counseling in order to make him cope with the situation. Considering Mike’s case, it is explicit that a number of workers in the Australian society seem to have unmet needs. The case study shows that a majority of the workers in the mines are being overworked without adequate breaks. Moreover, Mike’s case is typical of the unfavorable working conditions that many employees face in the world today, especially those in the mining industry. There are several sociological factors that have contributed to the numerous issues that Mike and his workmates are facing life. To start with, the nature of company that Mike works for poses a lot of challenges to its employees (Klein, & Nicholson, 2006, p. 88). Being a mining industry, there is a lot of work to be done in order to achieve organizational objectives. More so, the company is determined to meet its targets at all costs regardless of the workers welfare. For instance, it has introduced a 24-hour roster system in order to increase its productivity; hence meeting the needs of the clients (Meyer & Riedmüller, 2007). Secondly, the type of work that Mike handles in the company also aggravates his problems. A boiler maker is one of the overworked employees in such a company because of need to have machinery running throughout. This nature of work is so demanding that one hardly gets an adequate time to rest. Mike’s problems are accelerated by the fact that he has to handle various machines; repair and maintain them on a daily basis. Moreover, the scarcity of competent boilermakers in Australia leads to overloading of the few available individuals in order to achieve the firms objectives at the expense of the employees’ health (Clark, Knapp, & Mayraz, 2009, p. 216). For instance, Mike is one of the few boiler makers in the mining industry, and that explains depression, fatigue, and anxiety that gradually drag him. Moreover, the fact that the company has won a big contract with the Chinese importing company has changed the entire work schedule for Mike and his workmates. Because the company wants to improve its performance, it has rescheduled working hours. This is also aimed at meeting the demands of its clients at the expense of the workers’ welfare. A high demand for work in the company has led to additional pressure on him and others; hence denying them an opportunity to go on holiday. Because holidays are essential in unwinding, the client’s fatigue and stress are caused by lack of breaks (Krumer-Nevo & Weiss, 2006, pp. 234-240). Another sociological issue that has contributed to the problems is the cost of living in the area. The rental house owners have taken advantage of the business boom in the mining industry. In fact, people are paying over $350.00 per week on the houses. In addition, the residents are also facing a rise in food prices. This has adverse effects on the tenants because they have to stretch financially in order to meet the social demands. In this case, Mike seems to be straining financially despite the pay rise in the company. Moreover, this is worsened by the fact that Mike and the colleagues have no other alternative sources of livelihood. Besides, it is clear that the company has not adjusted to the cost of living that its employees are facing. The problems faced by employees in this case study indicate that they have a number of needs both in work place and outside work. According to Rosdahl & Kowalski (2008, pp. 90-95), human beings have various needs that should be met in order to have them function effectively. These needs are arranged in order of their importance in an individual’s life. According to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, human beings have various physiological needs, such as, rest and food. Lack of these needs has negative effects on human health and work life; hence meeting them is of uttermost importance. Therefore, it is explicit that Mike needs require the fulfillment of physiological needs, especially rest. This is significant in solving his problems of fatigue, stress, and anxiety (Germov & Poole, 2011, pp. 62-65). Security needs are also of great significance in human life. These are needs that enable an individual to feel safe and assured that everything would go well. Some of them include having savings in the bank, retirement plan, home, family; secure job, excellent health, life insurance, and dependable car (Montana & Charnov, 2008, pp, 238-240). In a work place environment, security needs are vital in enhancing the employees’ productivity and performance (Reddy, 2000, pp. 35-47). Lack of sufficient security needs might cause anxiety, depression, and stress among the employees. For instance, in this case study, Mike is stressed and depressed about work because he does not meet his security needs. He is feels insecure about his health because of the amount of pressure and work that he struggles to handle every day. He also fears that the machines that he operates on a daily basis might harm him. Additionally, he feels insecure about his job as he has to adjust to the working conditions. In order to maintain his job, he has to work according to the company directions regardless of the consequences (Mason, Auerbach & Laporte, 2009). Another important need that Mike has is love. This implies that he needs to be in favorable relations with the surrounding, fellowship, friendship, and to love and be loved. Friendship is quite indispensable in every human being as it adds value to life. Friendship is beneficial in correcting, encouraging, teaching, and consoling an individual depending on the situation (Germov& Poole, 2011, pp. 65-70). It also gives one a sense of belonging; a source of motivation in life. In this case, the company’s work schedule and conditions are making it impossible for Mike to have time with friends and family; he needs to be loved and to love. As a result, Mike feels deprived of an essential need in life, and thus, he tends to develop a negative attitude towards work. It is for this reason that the client is depressed, anxious and stressed about work and life in general. His resolution to drink is facilitated by the fact that he has no friends with whom he can share his problems (Kruzich, & Powell, 2011). Basing on the on the Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, it is worth noting that Mike needs of self-esteem. According to Smoke (2009, pp, 243-245), self esteem needs entail recognition, self-confidence, and adoration. These needs are beneficial in that they boost one’s esteem hence motivating them to achieve whatever needs whatever needs they have in life. Recognition involves promotions and rewards that an employee is awarded for excellent performance (Bennett, et al., 2006, pp. 102-104). In this case, it is clear that Mike is has unmet esteem needs, and that is why he feels depressed and disinterested in the job. His lack of self- confidence arises from the nature of his work as it drains him a lot. The company ought to motivate its employees by recognizing their efforts through promotions, and awards. This is highly instrumental in motivating the workers because they will feel that the company cares for and appreciates them (Parrillo, 2008, pp. 90-94). Therefore, it is explicit that Mike is deprived of the self-esteem needs. Self- actualization needs are also vital in every individual’s life. As stated by Merrick and Maher (2009, pp. 43-45), these are needs that are concerned with the development of one’s abilities, maximization of potentialities, capacity, and power. In a working set-up, employees should be allowed the opportunity to attain their self-actualization needs. In this study, the client is deprived of this opportunity to work on the enhancement of his abilities (Gerdner, & Holmberg, 2000, p. 250). He has been working as a boiler maker for a long time; hence the feeling anxiety, disinterest, and fatigue. Explicitly, Mike needs a chance to maximize his potentialities in the company through advanced training, and promotions. For instance, hiring of additional boiler makers in the company can offer Mike an opportunity for further training and promotion. The company ought to motivate him by making him head of his department. In spite of the increased responsibilities, this will stimulate him to work harder because he will feel appreciated (Stolovitch, 2004, pp. 245-250). According to Lewandowski (2003, pp. 245-246), work balance is another important need the client presents. This implies a well defined program for work so that employees have time for other is issues in life. Mike’s case demonstrates that the company does not have the workers’ interests at heart. Instead, it has rescheduled its working hours to fit its interests regardless of the employees’ welfare. For instance, the introduction of the 24 hour roaster system indicates a lot of insensitivity of the company towards its workers’ needs. Therefore, the company ought to involve its employees in its decision- making process. This is critical in the making of decisions that incorporate all employees’ interests (Mamic, 2004, pp. 76-80). Evidently, this case study presents a number of problems facing Mike, a 45-year old worker in a mining industry in Australia depressed and stressed over his job as he finds it too demanding to cope with. The client feels anxious some of the client’s problems include too much workload and pressure in work place, lack of leisure time, high cost of living, and unfavorable working conditions. These problems are caused by certain sociological factors that include nature of work, company, and the cost of living in the surrounding area. Explicitly, these factors are instrumental in aggravating Mike’s problems. In the analysis of these factors, it is clear that Mike and the workmates have a serious problem of the unmet needs. One of these needs is the physiological needs that include rest, food, and sleep. Moreover, Mike has safety needs in that he needs a secure job, family, and money. Most importantly, Mike needs to be loved and to love; hence, the need for adequate time to spend with friends and family (Curl, Simons, & Larkin, 2005). The client also needs a satisfaction of his self-esteem needs, as well as self- actualization needs. Therefore, it is critical that the company considers its employees in the process of making decisions. References Bennett, J.B., et al. (2006). Social risks for at-risk drinking in young workers: application of work-life border theory. Journal of Drug Issues, 6, 105-112. Bradley L. J., et al. (2011). E-Mail Communication: Issues for Mental Health Counselors. Journal of Mental Health Counseling, 33,100-105. Clark, L.D., Knapp, M., & Mayraz, G. (2009). Cost-Benefit Analysis of Psychological Therapy. National Institute Economic Review, 21, 212-215. Curl, A.L., Simons, K., & Larkin, H. (2005). Factors Affecting Willingness of Social Work Students to accept Jobs in Aging. Journal of Social Education, 41, 153-160. Gerdner, A., & Holmberg, A. (2000). Factors Affecting Motivation to Treatment in Severely Dependent Alcoholics. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 61, 245-250. Germov, J. & Poole, M. (2011). Public Sociology. Belmont, CA: Allen & Unwin. Pp. 60-76. Giacalone, R. & Jurkiewicz, C. (2003). Handbook of Workplace Spirituality and Organizational Performance. Armonk, ME: Sharpe. Pp. 302-305 Klein, D.N., & Nicholson, I.R. (2006). Costs of Predoctoral Clinical Psychology Internship Training in a Canadian Health Care Setting. Canadian Psychology, 47, 87-90. Krumer-Nevo, M., & Weiss, I. (2006). Factors Affecting the Interest of Israeli Social Work Students in Working with different Client Groups. Journal of Social Work Education, 42, 234-240. Kruzich, J. M., & Powell, W.E. (2011). Decision-Making Influence: An Empirical Study of Social Workers in Nursing Homes. Health and Social Work, 20, 123-127. Lewandowski, C. A. (2003). Organizational Factors Contributing to Worker Frustration: The Precursor to Burnout. Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare, 30, 245-250. Mamic, I. (2004). Implementing Codes of Conduct: How Businesses Manage Performance in Global Supply Chains. New York, NY: International Labour Organization. Pp.75-80. Mason, E.S., Auerbach, C., & Laporte, H.H. (2009). From hospital to nursing facility: factors influencing decisions. Health and Social Work, 34, 87-92. Merrick, K. & Maher, M. (2009). Motivated Reinforcement Learning. Berlin, IL: Springer. Pp. 38-40. Meyer, T., & Riedmüller, B. (2007). Private Pensions versus Social Inclusion? : Non-state Provision for Citizens at Risk in Europe. Cheltenham, UK Northampton, MA: Edward Elgar. Pp.67-87. Montana, P.J., & Charnov, B. H. (2008). Management. Hauppauge, HA: Barrons Educational Series. Pp 238-245. Parrillo, V. N. (2008). Encyclopedia of Social Problems. Thousand Oaks, Calif, CA: SAGE Publications. Reddy, L. (2000). Role Performance of Continuing Education Workers. New Delhi, ND: Discovery Publishing House. Pp. 45-67. Rosdahl, C. & Kowalski, M. (2008). Textbook of Basic Nursing. Hagerstwon, HA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Pp.89-100. Smoke, C. (2009). Company Officer. New York, NY: Delmar Cengage Learning. Pp. 239-245. Stolovitch, H. (2004). Training ain't Performance. Alexandria, MD: ASTD Press ISPI. Pp.245-250. Read More

Another issue that Mike seems to face is fatigue. This is evident in that the company has a high demand for its minerals; hence, more work has to be done in order to maintain its supplies to clients. The high demand for Mike’s services in the company is brought up by the fact that the company won a great contract with a key Chinese mineral importer. Consequently, a lot of maintenance and repairs demanded in the company has made him overwork. Because of the high demand in work place, he hardly gets time to unwind and spend time with his family and friends.

Lack of a proper holiday is another major issue that is aggravating the client’s problems at work (Bradley, 2011, pp.102-104). In fact, he admits that he has not had an opportunity to take be off work since three years ago. This is unhealthy because it affects an individual’s effectiveness and performance in work place. In addition, a holiday is highly indispensable for any organization that desires to have a great performance and achieve its objectives. Companies that regularly allow their employees to breaks are very effective.

This is because, while on leave, workers can unwind, and regain the lost energy. This is beneficial because individuals feel fresh and motivated to achieve organizational objectives when they resume work (Giacalone, R. & Jurkiewicz, 2003, pp. 302-303). With the understanding of these facts, it is justifiable to say that Mike needs a break from work. Furthermore, the case study clearly demonstrates Mike’s insufficient time for his family, friends, and his hobbies. Before the company made new working agreements, he says that the situation was better than as it is today.

He even says that then, he would fully enjoy his weekends doing fishing at Esperence with some of his friends. Besides, he would work for 38 hours a week. Then, he would be given some time to work over the weekend. However, the client would only take the weekend offers once in two months. Since the company made new agreements, work has doubled up; hence forcing the employees to work extra hours a week. For instance, Mike’s working schedule has changed from 38 to over 50 hours a week in order to maintain machinery’s effectiveness.

As a result, he is facing a lot of pressure from work because he has to put up with the company requirements. Therefore, the cause of Mike’s feelings of depression, anxiety, and fatigue is overworking, coupled with lack of leisure time. Additionally, the introduction of a roster system by the company has proven to be problematic for Mike. The fact that the system works 24 hours day throughout the week forces Mike and the workmates to work in shifts. In fact, the case study shows that the client hardly gets sufficient sleep because he works throughout the day while on shift.

At times, he has found himself working on the system on a back-to-back basis whereby he starts work at 7 am and completes at 3 pm, the following day. Therefore, this client is in dire need of adequate rest in order to function effectively. What is more, Mike feels incapacitated in that he finds it hard to catch up with his close workmates. The fact that none of them has a standard routine further complicates the situation, for they are not involved in decisions concerning their days off. It is only by chance that Mike, at times, gets a break coincidentally with his colleagues.

This is a serious problem as Mike is denied of the opportunity to interact with other employees. Imperatively, interaction between employees is of great significance because it enables them to share knowledge and skills that are beneficial to the company. Another problem that Mike is experiencing is a rise in the cost of living. The fact that mining is a booming business in the region has caused a rise in amount of rent paid by the tenants around the mines. Currently, the client and his workmates have to pay an average of over $350.

00 per week. In addition, the price of food has been on the rise by a rate of 8% for the last three years.

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