Mandated work duties of students: situational analysis of the actors involved

Purpose: To comprehensively analyze the work duties of students from the Faculty of Social Studies at the University of Ostrava during the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on the perspectives and discourses of those involved in managing the crisis. Methods: Interpretive paradigm, qualitative strategies, situational analysis, questionnaire survey, semi-structured interview. Results: The result is a presentation of the discourses of different actors involved in the students' work duties. The students felt dissatisfaction with their work duty and valued the experience gained. The public administration authorities perceived inconsistency in the practices between the political subdivisions and appreciated the students' motivation to help. Social service organisations pointed out an absence of a crisis management methodology. Conclusion: Social work educators should prepare students for mandatory work duties during crises or emergencies, such as at that time ongoing pandemic. They should also offer compulsory elective courses that introduce students to nursing activities needed during work duties, such as general care, meal preparation, and communication with clients. Recommendations for social service organisations and public administration should focus on crisis management and mentoring.