How importantance do you place on job autonomy?

[griffon652]

Originally Posted by Prickly Pear

My job is completely self-managed and directed. If I miss a deadline, it's all on me. I have a list of places that need inspections (I'm a health inspector in a county government), I get them done by X date, and X many inspections a year overall and per restaurant. I have zero teamwork in my job. I only go into the office once a week, so I rarely see my coworkers. Since I manage my own projects, I can take my vacation basically any time I want, and for the most part, have very flexible schedules. I'm having a bad day, I can visit easier places, or if I'm working up towards a vacation, I can work faster. As long as they get done by the deadline.

This is my first job out of college.

You and I share a lot of the same latitude when it comes to our discretion on how to do our jobs. Your very lucky to get a job like this early in your career and I'm happy you.

It took me 11 years to get to the position I'm at. Mainly because the position requires not only knowledge but the ability to make fluid decisions on quickly changing dynamics. The only way to make these decision effectively is from experience. One unique aspect of my autonomy is that I almost never interact with any of my supervisors unless its at a time I desire. Meaning, my supervisors never check up on what I'm doing or even ask if everything has been done. Unless I tell them I haven't done something, its just assumed I did it. The only time I get called to talk to a supervisor is the rare time (1-3 times a month) when they need my help with something extra. I'm lucky enough to be friends with my supervisors so I actually go see them more often just to hang out over going to see them because they need me.

Originally Posted by Prickly Pear

As someone entry-level, I would prefer a little less autonomy, just to get put on the right tracks. Know that I'm doing things right and paying attention and learning the right things. Sometimes when I'm really unsure I can call a co-worker or two, but it would be nice to have them there with me to see their interpretation, as it sometimes is a lot more nuanced than I can describe over the phone.

You know that is an excellent point. I recall having some extremely difficult assignments when I first started my career. These were tasks that had extremely rigid timelines, specific manner in which I had to do things and things my supervisors would check up on to make sure they were done properly. At the time I resented going into work. Don't get me wrong, most of my peers and supervisors were nice people, I just have an independent spirit so I resent any type of control over my actions. However, looking back I'm glad I was forced to do those assignments. This is because now when I tackle any task at work I almost never have any doubt that I'm doing in the best manner possible.

[mainebrokerman]

ive turned down better paying jobs because of this

I make my own schedule every week ..
go to different accounts … training and trouble-shooting

love my job and my autonomy

[Lodestar]

My two professional careers have been in teaching and mental health. In both of those there has been a strong component of the team approach which I value very much. There are many ways to solve a single problem and a team which works well together spreads responsibility as well as increases the probably of finding solutions.

I like the idea of knowing what the desired effect is and the general guidelines in which it is to be achieved and having autonomy to play my part in achieving it. I also like the idea of having a team to seek out for support and options and doing the same for others.

Both teaching and community mental health have a from the top down flow of direction but the concept of teamwork helps diffuse the perception that one is taking orders and applying them at work. That's never been a very satisfying or creative way for me to work.

[emm74]

At my previous job, my boss was a micromanager. I can never go back to that kind of environment again.

My current boss is accessible but hands off, which is perfect. I manage my workflow and as long as I'm getting everything done and my boss isn't getting questions or complaints, all is good.