Working at a shelter for homeless people: Researching employees’ self-perception

Abstract

In the paper will be presented the findings of research on how staff employed at the shelter for homeless people perceive their professional position and reputation. The starting assumption is that the shelter is a closed-type institution, in which both residents and employees are exposed to the same social negligence. Since practical solutions and strategies for combating homelessness are absent at a wider, systemic level, residences are directed exclusively to the help of employees in the shelter. However, as the staff is not systematically supported, it is expected that it develops a sense of professional and personal powerlessness, as well as selfstigmatisation. In order to check the above thesis, we conducted a survey at the Belgrade Shelter for Adults and Old People. The research had two goals. The first, a descriptive one, was to investigate whether the work they do emotionally exhausts employees, how they evaluate their work achievement and professional reputation. The second goal was exploratory. Namely, it was necessary to understand the findings noted, bearing in mind the working environment and the level of social concern about the employees and their clients.