This Is Not My Job: Italian Social Workers on the Edge of Workfare

Since the introduction of the Citizenship Income in Italy, up to the current Inclusion Allowance, the work of social workers has experienced an intensification of pressures, reshaping both their role and daily practices. On one hand, the new minimum income schemes have led to a significant increase in the number of users accessing social services; on the other hand, current regulations require social workers to be increasingly vigilant and responsive in monitoring irregularities and fraud, contributing to the identification and sanctioning of so-called "cheaters." Additionally, the growing use of digital platforms for reporting imposes further tasks of control and traceability of processes. This study utilizes the framework of street-level bureaucracy and focuses on a local context of policy implementation, recognizing its critical importance in the operationalization of these measures. Based on interviews and vignettes conducted with social workers in a metropolitan city in Northern Italy, the research investigates the effects of these changes on professional practices and the well-being of practitioners, highlighting the challenges and critical issues associated with the evolving welfare policies and digital tools.