Independence in workplace is a topic that has attracted constant attention these years. Employees today are not just holding a job. They seek meaning, autonomy and ability to make decisions in their work. Modern workplaces are more flexible and adaptive, and independence is experienced in a variety of different dimensions that form an integral part of the modern work culture.

Let us answer these two questions. What is independence at workplace? Independence at workplace is it really needed?

Let us answer the first question.

1. What is independence at workplace?

   • Independence in workplace is Feeling Empowered at workplace is about feeling valued, trusted and capable of making positive contributions/decisions. Empowerment is freedom to take bold decisions, to challenge status quo, innovate (share ideas) with purpose while staying true to the core values and take ownership of their work. Feeling empowered boosts productivity, encourages creativity and increases morale whereas it Decreases stress and overthinking.

   • Independence in workplace is freedom to fail, learn from mistakes, to be empowered to make right choices.

   • Independence in workplace is not being micromanaged at each and every step: allowing employees to complete the task on their own within given period of time.

   • Independence in workplace is being responsible and accountable.

   • Independence in workplace is allowing employees explore work area of interest.

   • Independence in workplace is freedom to be authentic to be yourself at the workplace. 

   • Independence in workplace is freedom to express oneself without being judged.

   • Independence in workplace is freedom to change decisions/mind.

   • Independence in workplace is to allow to say NO without being judged. 

   • Independence in workplace is enjoying the small things.

   • Independence in workplace is respecting our skills.

   • Independence in workplace is freedom from prejudice.
     
     

2. Independence at workplace is it really needed?

YES, absolutely because “With Independence Comes Responsibility, With Responsibility Comes Integrity”

Employees who are given the autonomy to achieve their objective with a flexible approach are more productive, motivated and passionate about their work. For instance, Google famous “20% rule” which allowed employees to spend a fifth of their time on independent projects, led to the creation of Gmail and Google Maps. 

Independence also gives high job satisfaction. In the field of medicine Dr. Ignaz Semmelweis stood firm on his insistence that handwashing could reduce maternal mortality, exercising professional independence even when it cost him recognition in his lifetime.

As the famous proverb by Albert Camus goes this way , “Freedom is nothing else but a chance to be better”. Independence in the workplace gives individuals this chance – to grow, to innovate, and to take responsibility for their actions.

Conclusion:

Freedom at workplace is liberating and empowering at the same time, with freedom however also comes accountability and it’s essential to balance these at workplace. It comes with its own share of risks and responsibilities. Defining the limits of freedom at workplace is very essential and, truly challenging, yet necessary. True independence at workplace is freedom of ideas, actions, speech tempered with boundaries and ethics and a balancing act which is tougher that it seems. Hence let us work and contribute together in creating ideal workplaces where we enjoy the independence that translate into growth.

To paraphase - "Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high, where knowledge is free, where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection, into that heaven of freedom, My Father, let my organization awake." - Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore