Job satisfaction indicators for tenure and non-tenure track social work faculty: similar but not equal

ABSTRACT

Despite sharing similar job responsibilities, two distinctly different career pathways exist within the social work professorate in the United States: tenure-track and non-tenure track. Tenure track faculty generally hold an indefinite appointment that can be terminated only for cause or under extraordinary circumstances. Non-tenure track faculty generally hold contingent appointments with few protections. To expand understanding about differences and similarities between the two groups, the survey of 927 social work faculty in the United States focused on five indicators of job satisfaction: professional connectedness, workplace empowerment, career satisfaction, stress, and beliefs about workplace fairness. Findings show high levels of job satisfaction for both groups; however, non-tenure track faculty respondents reported lower career satisfaction than their tenure-track peers. Most respondents also report a belief that organizational unfairness exists based on gender, ethnicity, and academic rank. Yet, more non-tenure track faculty then tenure-track faculty report beliefs about organizational unfairness for both gender and academic rank than tenure-track faculty. Although limitations exist, the initial findings from the study highlight the importance of promoting workplace fairness within the social work professorate.

KEYWORDS:

• Job satisfaction
• tenure track faculty
• nontenure track faculty
• social work faculty

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Catherine A. Simmons

Catherine A. Simmons, PhD, LCSW is a Professor at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs and serves as both the inaugural Chair of UCCS Social Work and the Master of Social Work (MSW) Program Director. Prior to joining academia, Dr. Simmons spent 10 years as an Air Force officer leading family violence, substance abuse, and mental health programs.  The author/editor of two books and over 60 professional papers, her research interest includes interpersonal violence, measurement, strengths-based interventions, career trajectories and issues pertaining to gender, trauma, and violence. She is also known for her leadership and program development expertise.

Eugenia L. Weiss

Eugenia L. Weiss, PsyD, MSW, MA, is Clinical Professor at the University of Southern California (USC), Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work teaching in the masters and doctoral courses and served as director of two academic centers and as associate dean of faculty affairs. Her research interests are in military/veteran behavioral health, leadership, women's studies and diversity/ equity in higher education.

Sara L. Schwartz

Sara L. Schwartz, PhD, MSW is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the University of Southern California Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work. Her areas of research focus on community building in diverse environments to include social work academia, virtual education, organizations and historically marginalized groups impacted by HIV/AIDS.