Office Practice N4 | Reasons for job enlargement

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Question

Explain reasons for job enlargement in the workplace.

Repetitive Work Needs Variety

When work is of a repetitive nature and expanding.

Job enlargement is often introduced to reduce the monotony of routine tasks. When an employee performs the same duty over and over, productivity and motivation can decrease. By expanding the scope of work and including more varied tasks, employees stay more engaged, making work more stimulating and meaningful.

Discontinued Positions Due to Economic Factors

When a position is discontinued due to economic reasons.

In times of financial difficulty, organizations may have to cut costs by eliminating certain positions. To ensure operational efficiency is maintained, the responsibilities of the removed position are often added to existing jobs. Job enlargement allows the redistribution of these duties without hiring new staff.

Introduction of New Processes

During the introduction of new processes that bring new activities into the job.

When a company introduces new systems or technology, they may create new tasks that need to be managed. Instead of hiring new employees, current positions may be enlarged to include these new activities. This keeps the business agile and ensures that the workforce adapts to innovation.

Outcome of Job Evaluation

After a job evaluation where it is discovered that the position needs additional responsibilities.

Job evaluations are conducted to assess whether employees are underutilized or overburdened. If it’s found that a position can accommodate more duties, job enlargement is implemented to match the employee’s capacity with the organization’s needs, thereby optimizing resource use.

Gaining Experience for Growth

To help employees gain experience.

By adding new tasks to a worker’s role, job enlargement offers employees the opportunity to learn and practice new skills. This experience enhances their career development and prepares them for future responsibilities or promotions, benefiting both the individual and the organization.

Low Workload

When there is not enough to do.

If a job role doesn’t have enough daily tasks to fully occupy an employee’s time, job enlargement ensures better use of working hours. Assigning additional responsibilities can make employees more productive and prevent boredom or disengagement due to idle time.

Training for Advancement

When training a person for another job or promotion.

Job enlargement serves as a practical way to prepare an employee for a new role. By giving them responsibilities outside of their current job description, they gain firsthand exposure and hands-on training that equips them for more advanced roles or promotion opportunities.

Confidence in Employee’s Abilities

When management has sufficient confidence that the person can take on additional responsibilities.

When management believes an employee is capable and ready for growth, they may enlarge the job to reflect that trust. This not only empowers the employee but also helps the organization benefit from the individual’s potential through increased contribution and leadership readiness.

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