The purpose of this study was to examine social workers experiences with work-related threats and violence. The essay is based on a qualitative research approach with five semi-structured interviews. All respondents who haven taken part in this study are social workers who practice authority as social secretaries and administrators which perform treatment. To analyze the interview material, a thematic analysis was conducted to search for common themes. The results of the study consist of four themes, and these are strong emotions, normalization, creating routines and attempts at control. The results show that work-related threats and violence evoke strong emotions such as fear, anxiety, discomfort, frustration. The feelings were perceived as relatively manageable in the social workers’ professional practice unlike when it was directed towards them personally. The results also showed that the situations and emotions in their private life becomes more difficult to handle as social workers are more exposed and have lack of protective routines. Furthermore, the results show that the social workers tried to create control by turning more around at their everyday living and being more observant, as it was considered necessary to feel and live a safer life.
Keywords: Social Worker, work-related threats and violence, impact, professional practice, personal life, handling.