diff --git a/lib/resque/worker.rb b/lib/resque/worker.rb
index 9099e6cf2..6223e7582 100644
--- a/lib/resque/worker.rb
+++ b/lib/resque/worker.rb
@@ -29,6 +29,8 @@ class Worker
 
     attr_reader :worker_queues
 
+    attr_accessor :graceful_term
+
     # Workers should be initialized with an array of string queue
     # names. The order is important: a Worker will check the first
     # queue given for a job. If none is found, it will check the
@@ -360,7 +362,7 @@ def enable_gc_optimizations
     # USR2: Don't process any new jobs
     # CONT: Start processing jobs again after a USR2
     def register_signal_handlers
-      trap('TERM') { shutdown!  }
+      trap('TERM') { graceful_term ? shutdown : shutdown!  }
       trap('INT')  { shutdown!  }
 
       begin