{
  "id": 5800003,
  "title": "Former Social Services employee speaks out on working conditions",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/05/former-social-services-employee-speaks-out-on-working-conditions",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-05T16:20:29.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Global News",
    "slug": "global-news",
    "url": "https://globalnews.ca/news/12048501/former-social-services-employee-speaks-out-on-working-conditions/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A former Ministry of Social Services support worker, Rae Seidel, is speaking out about the dire working conditions she faced during her time as a child and caregiver support worker. Seidel left her position just over a year ago, citing the inability to carry out day-to-day tasks due to the constant need to address immediate crises. She expressed concerns over high turnover rates, challenges in communication, and persistent understaffing, which left her unable to provide adequate care to the children under the ministry's supervision.\n\nSeidel highlighted persistent understaffing as a significant issue, coupled with inadequate mental health support and prolonged reimbursement delays for emergency expenses. These problems, she argued, directly impacted the quality of care children received. Seidel, who applied for a position in a different unit, remarked that the lack of urgency in addressing these issues was troubling.\n\nDespite her resignation, Seidel remains involved in the field but is urging the ministry to implement necessary changes. The ministry has acknowledged her concerns and outlined several initiatives aimed at improving recruitment and retention, including focusing on hiring Indigenous and northern employees and enhancing psychological health and wellness support for employees. They reported positive outcomes, with increased applications, successfully filled vacancies, and improved retention rates.\n\nHowever, Seidel believes further measures are needed to safeguard both the children and the caregivers in the ministry's care.",
  "summary": "Rae Seidel worked as a Child and Caregiver Support Worker until just over a year ago when she decided to leave due to working conditions.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Global News",
        "title": "Former Social Services employee speaks out on working conditions",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/05/former-social-services-employee-speaks-out-on-working-conditions-5801874",
        "published": "2026-09-05T16:20:29.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}