Background: This study aimed to exploring the emotional experiences of sick-listed employees facing imminent job loss, as this distress may hinder successful job search outcomes. The study had two objectives: (1) to develop and validate the Imminent Job Loss Scale (IJLS) for assessing pre-job loss grief reactions and (2) to examine its relationship to work attachment.

Method: Part 1 involved an expert panel that contributed to the development of the IJLS. In Part 2, the psychometric properties of the IJLS were evaluated, and its association with work attachment was examined using data from 200 sick-listed employees facing imminent job loss.

Results: The IJLS demonstrated strong internal and temporal stability, distinctiveness from depression and anxiety symptoms, and solid convergent validity. Work-centrality and organizational commitment were positively related to pre-job loss grief reactions, while work engagement and calling showed no significant associations.

Discussion: This study provides valuable insights into pre-job loss grief reactions and emphasized the potential utility of the IJLS for screening and monitoring purposes. Understanding pre-job loss grief reactions can improve the re-integration and job prospects of sick-listed employees. Future research should continue to explore these dynamics to provide better support to sick-listed employees during this challenging period.