The stages of terminating: when mental health workers face job loss.

Recent decreases in funding for the human services have resulted in involuntary job loss for numerous mental health and social service professionals. The present study, utilizing a participant-observer methodology, examines the job termination process and its effect on both terminating staff members and their surviving colleagues. Four stages, the stage of uncertainty, the post announcement stage, the exiting stage, and the resolution stage are delineated and characteristic stresses and behaviors observed during each are described. Based on the findings, a number of suggestions are made to aid administrators and staff members who are facing this difficult experience. The role of the consultant in this process is described.