Autonomy at work is an approach that’s meant to give employees more freedom and control over how they accomplish their tasks and objectives. Job autonomy stems from concepts like hybrid work and workplace flexibility but brings them to a new level.
Employee autonomy includes a broad range of policies that minimize certain non-essential job mandates, such as requirements to work at an office when working remotely is just as feasible. It also lets go of standards that dictate the pace and order of individual steps rather than leaving these details up to the individual performing the job.
Autonomy in business has generated a lot of interest among managers and business owners because of its impact on employee satisfaction, engagement, and productivity. A flexible staff policy is also more attractive to workers who are eager to have more control over their workday without the granular hindrances that interfere with their ability to contribute.
What Is An Autonomous Work Environment?
An autonomous work environment can take on many forms depending on the type of business. Ultimately, it fosters productivity through greater worker independence and engagement with minimal dictation over the pace or process. Working autonomously still means that objectives are met, but the process of fulfilling expectations and meeting goals is left to those who are actually performing the task.
An autonomous work environment isn’t simply a hybrid job or a remote job, but flexible staff policies have become more common with these arrangements. Even in work settings where the tasks must be completed in person, it’s possible to foster job autonomy. This is accomplished by devoting more resources to systems and methods that enable individuals and teams to establish their own goals, practices, and pacing.
This doesn’t come at the sacrifice of a higher objective, it simply means that employees are given more control over their tasks as well as when and where. Having the right communication and organizational resources that keep employees on track without dictating their individual methods or work styles is part of establishing an autonomous work environment.
The Importance Of Autonomy In The Workplace
Autonomy in the workplace is important for creating an environment that fosters productivity, trust, and more effective communication and utilization of resources.
When employees are permitted to work autonomously they gain a sense of trust and purpose that can easily become lost when they are excessively managed or when staff policies or more focused on conformity rather than meeting objectives. Additionally, letting employees set the pace of their work can be more favorable for preventing burnout and mental fatigue.
A work culture that promotes employee autonomy can be very attractive to prospective talent as more workers are seeking more control over how they utilize their skills and energy. Lack of autonomy at work and a rigid series of inflexible requirements are some of the reasons why workers are moving on to companies that offer high autonomy. In some cases, job candidates actually value employee flexibility and greater autonomy over higher pay.
Article Sources:
https://hbr.org/2021/10/forget-flexibility-your-employees-want-autonomy
