Income Maintenance Workers

Although social services and financial assistance in public welfare have been separated for almost 15 years, relatively little attention has been given to the position of the income maintenance worker. To begin to address this situation, this study was undertaken to assess burnout, job satisfaction, and projected job tenure among income maintenance workers. The findings indicate unusually high levels of emotional exhaustion, job dissatisfaction, and intent to change jobs. Overall, however, depersonalization characterized by callousness, distancing from clients, and increased objectification of clients was not a common occurrence among income maintenance workers. Interventions for emotional exhaustion, job dissatisfaction, and turnover are suggested.