Autonomy This refers to the amount of independence, freedom, and discretion that
the employee has to schedule and perform tasks. Salespeople, for example, often have
considerable autonomy in how they contact, develop, and close new accounts, whereas
assembly-line workers often have to adhere to work specifications clearly detailed in a
policy-and-procedure manual. Employees are more likely to experience responsibility
for their work outcomes when high amounts of autonomy exist.