About Employee Empowerment

by Kristie Lorette

Employee empowerment is when a company allows workers the leeway to make reasonable decisions in order to satisfy customers, according to the online glossary companion to Barry Berman and Joel R. Evans' business textbook "Retail Management." Giving workers the power and responsibility to make determinations that typically require a manager's or supervisor's involvement can help foster a sense that employees have a vested interest in the company.


According to the American Society for Quality, companies can foster employee empowerment by training workers to carry out new responsibilities and providing them with the information they need to make good choices. In some cases, it can be useful to send employees to an empowerment workshop or hire a trainer to help employees, managers and supervisors determine how to reorganize the workflow or restructure the business to help transition employees from staff to decision makers.


Empowering employees helps them feel more important to the business. An employee who does not feel micromanaged may have a more positive attitude, which creates a more positive work environment. Employee empowerment creates better customer service, because a worker can resolve a customer's issue on the spot--helping to create a more appreciative and loyal customer. A customer's positive experience can lead to positive word-of-mouth advertising, resulting in more business for the company.


The process of empowering employees can start with something as simple as instituting an employee suggestion box. Suggestion boxes allow workers to share ideas and provide feedback about company practices and policies without fear of retribution. Upper management can read and implement the suggestions, where appropriate, and get a better sense of employees' perspective on the business.


Employee empowerment is only successful if management is committed to the process. If none of the employees' suggestions comes to fruition, workers may begin to feel they have no power. Managers and supervisors must demonstrate that they trust employees to provide valuable input they can act upon.

Time Frame

Employee empowerment is a process rather than a one-time act. A business must actively encourage empowerment during company meetings and in memos, email blasts and internal company newsletters. Companies can also offer financial or vacation awards for workers who make suggestions or take actions that save money or improve customer service.

Photo Credits

  • simple business decision layout image by Gongea Alexandru from Fotolia.com
Suggest an Article Correction