Job Enrichment Vs Job Empowerment

Job Enrichment Vs Job Empowerment

Job enrichment is aimed at expanding the content of an individual’s job. But job empowerment focuses on expanding on the context of the job such as its interactions and interdependencies to other functions of the organization.

Empowerment is investing people with authority. It’s purpose is to tap the enormous reservoir of potential contribution that lies within every worker.

The two steps to empowerment are

1.           To arm people to be successful through coaching, guidance and training.

2.           Letting people do by themselves.

The principles of empowering people are given below.

1.           Tell people what their responsibilities are.

2.           Give authority.

3.           Set standards for excellence.

4.           Render training.

5.           Provide knowledge and information.

6.           Trust them.

7.           Allow them to commit mistakes.

8.           Treat them with dignity and respect.

Three dimensions of empowerment are

Ø   Capability

Ø   Alignment and

Ø   Trust

CHARACTERISTICS OF EMPOWERED EMPLOYEES

Some important characteristics of empowered employees, identified by Hubert Rampersad, are that:

·        They feel responsible for their own task.

·        They are given a free hand in their work.

·        They balance their own goals with those of the organization.

·        They are well trained, equipped, creative, and customer oriented.

·        They are critical, have self-esteem, and are motivated.

·        They are challenged and encouraged.

·        They monitor and improve their work continuously.

·        They find new goals and change challenges.

Therefore, it is important to empower individuals and teams at all levels of the organization to achieve the continuous improvement process.