Some social assistance establishments operate around the clock. Thus, evening, weekend, and holiday work is common. Some establishments may be understaffed, resulting in large caseloads for each worker. Jobs in voluntary, nonprofit agencies often are part time.
Some workers spend a substantial amount of time traveling within the local area. For example, home health and personal care aides routinely visit clients in their homes; social workers and social and human service assistants also may make home visits. In 2002, the incidence rate for occupational injury and illness in social assistance varied by industry sector. Compared with the rate of 5.3 per 100 full-time workers for the entire private sector, individual and family services had a rate of 4.5 and other social services had a rate of 3.7.