Social work in the craft: Julia Specht revolutionizes the company!

Social work in the craft: Julia Specht revolutionizes the company!

In an innovative approach, Julia Specht, an entrepreneur from Wolfenbüttel, combines her expertise in social work with the craft sector. In her company, which specializes in sanitary and heating technology, she has placed a special focus on the integration of social aspects since it was founded in April 2023 to create a positive work environment.

Specht, which has also completed a master class in the installation and heating construction, meets workshops once a month with her four-member team. The focus is on topics such as the appearance of the customer and the development of team guidelines. These events always start with a breakfast together, creating a relaxed atmosphere in which all employees can bring in their ideas.

social aspects in craft

An important part of the working atmosphere under Specht is the promotion of team culture through social activities. She wrote her bachelor thesis on another SHK company in which she previously worked, and the positive results of her studies should now also be used in her own company. However, she also sees criticism: "There is great skepticism about social approach in the industry," she explains.

This skepticism can also be felt by her partner Marcin Godek, who works as a manager. He confesses: "At first I found the whole thing too psychologically." But he quickly noticed that the commitment to social issues benefits the team: "Some of them felt that some felt at all." Specht and Godek emphasize that conflicts could be solved thanks to open communication, such as the agreements for responsibility when washing out cups.

The importance of a good culture of conversation

An essential prerequisite for promoting a positive working atmosphere is the establishment of a good culture of conversation, according to Specht. Your concept not only includes professional, but also personal conversations in which employees can discuss their goals. "A targeted discussion in combination with social methods can do a lot," she explains.

Exampleshowing she mentions the case of an employee with a large dentist tang to whom she helped to get treatment. This meant that the employee could smile open again, which not only benefited him but also to the company.

Specht sees great potential for social work, especially among the trainees. "The young people want to be heard more," she says and emphasizes the need to include the vocational schools in this process. According to Specht, regular discussions about learning goals are a great advantage.

Nevertheless, the application of social work does not always confess: "We are not psychologists," she says. Godek adds that it is important to find a balance between social support and the operational requirements. "There is still a lot of educational work in the industry," said Specht.

As a vision for the future, it formulates the establishment of an external social worker network, which can take a lenses look at operational situations. This could help handicrafts to cope with the challenges better and at the same time promote positive team dynamics.

More about the diverse aspects and possibilities of operational social work can be found here at www.handwerk.com .