Question

Identify and describe five actions a manager can take to enrich jobs. Give Examples

Answer 1

Job enrichment can be said to be a process characterized by adding new dimensions to the existing jobs so as to make them more motivating. The biggest reason to focus upon job enrichment is that it leads to motivation. Let us see what actions a manager can take to enrich jobs in his organization:

1. Autonomy: Autonomy is a key part of the motivating dimension of a job. People must be given well thought and well defined powers to make quicker decisions and implement them.
   Example: Subordinate should be able to determine when he takes a short break or under what scenarios he can be made responsible for the outcome of a task.
   
2. Feedback: The simple act of giving regular feedback may be the easiest yet one of the most effective job enrichment methods.
   Example: 360-degree feedback assessment helps the employee to grow and develop and it's an important way to enrich one’s job.
   
3. Purpose: A need for relatedness is the key for self-determination theory. People must know where they stand in the entire loop of the tasks undertaken by them and by others. Knowing the purpose of doing a task can help in creating relatedness to the work.
   Example: A clearly stated and identifiable purpose increases the significance of task.
   
4. Vertical loading: Vertical loading may be the most crucial job enrichment for the human assets of an organization. Vertical loading means that a job profile must cearly see responsibilities and a large degree of control which was formally reserved for the uppper management. This motivates people greatly.
   Example: A subordinate being assigned low-risk decision making areas which were earlier reserved with his reporting manager.
   
5. Horizontal Loading: Horizontal loading means job enlargement. Job enlargement enables a worker to do more, learn doing a wider range of tasks, increase his skill variety, and also improve his earning potential.
   Example: An executive for material dispatch may be asked to supervise and command the logistic team.