Which job characteristic gives workers freedom and discretion in how to accomplish their work?

The job characteristic that gives workers freedom and discretion in how to accomplish their work is autonomy. Autonomy refers to the degree of control and decision-making power that employees have over their tasks or how they choose to perform them. When workers experience high levels of autonomy, they can determine the methods and pace of their work, leading to greater job satisfaction and motivation.

Autonomy is crucial because it empowers employees, allowing them to use their creativity and judgment in completing tasks, which can improve their engagement and performance. In environments where autonomy is encouraged, workers often feel more responsible for their outcomes and are likely to take ownership of their work. This characteristic is especially significant in roles that require problem-solving or innovation, as it fosters an environment where employees can explore different approaches and solutions without being constrained by strict guidelines or micromanagement.

The other characteristics, such as task significance, skill variety, and task feedback, contribute to job satisfaction and motivation in different ways but do not specifically address the aspect of freedom and discretion in how tasks are accomplished. Task significance relates to the impact of the work on others, skill variety involves the range of skills used in a job, and task feedback is about receiving information on performance.