job enrichment

Definition

Expanding a role to include higher-level responsibilities and decision-making authority to increase motivation and satisfaction. Unlike job enlargement, this actually adds meaningful work rather than just more work.

Example Usage

The job enrichment initiative gave me autonomy over my projects and only added 10 hours to my workweek—what a bargain!

Origin

Frederick Herzberg's motivation-hygiene theory from the 1960s

Fun Fact

Herzberg argued that job enrichment addresses 'motivators' while things like salary are mere 'hygiene factors,' which is easy to say when you're a tenured professor.

Source: Organizational psychology and motivational theory

Related Terms

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A compensation strategy that consolidates multiple narrow pay grades into fewer, wider salary ranges. Gives companies more flexibility to pay people whatever they want while claiming they follow a structure.

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gross misconduct

Employee behavior so severe it justifies immediate termination without notice or severance, like theft, violence, or spectacular insubordination. The employment equivalent of a capital offense.

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redress

The fancy legal term for "making things right" after someone's been wronged, usually involving apologies, compensation, or policy changes. It's what happens when grievances actually lead somewhere instead of disappearing into the corporate void. Think of it as justice's customer service department, ideally with better response times.

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bona fide occupational qualification

A legally permissible reason to discriminate in hiring based on characteristics like age, sex, or religion because they're essential to the job. Abbreviated as BFOQ, the rare loophole in anti-discrimination law.

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Open Door Policy

A management claim that anyone can walk into the boss's office anytime to discuss anything, which is technically true if you enjoy career suicide. The door is open but the welcome mat is made of eggshells.

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