Abstract Empowerment is a simple idea, but often misunderstood or misused by many. “It means giving agency over how the work gets done to those who do it.” (RE Sibson, Strategic Planning for Human Resource Management). This paper will define, describe, and discuss employee empowerment used in today's team-based organizations. The paper examines how this concept impacts the company's diverse workforce practices and performance. Employee Empowerment Employee empowerment can be described as giving employees the responsibility and ability to make choices about their work without manager permission. Good managers are expected to help employees improve job success by supporting, training, guiding and advising. Empowerment can increase employee motivation, job satisfaction and loyalty to their companies. The power that managers hold should now be shared with employees with trust, assertiveness, inspiration and support now relied on lower level management positions (Fragoso, 1999). Groups of empowered employees with little or no supervision are now being formed, and these groups are called self-managing teams. These groups can now solve work problems, make choices about schedules and operations, learn to do the work of other employees, and are held accountable for the quality of their finished products. Employee empowerment can be a powerful tool. Leadership style can increase efficiency and effectiveness within an organization. Empowerment can also increase productivity and allow managers more time... middle of paper... ht. Hiring the right people and training/developing them into the role of an empowered employee takes time and patience, but the result can be very successful if done correctly. Many companies from very different sectors have achieved excellent results thanks to their ability to motivate and empower their staff. While companies may have different ways of motivating employees, if they follow their core philosophy to the hilt, employees may buy into it too. As a result, companies will ultimately be more profitable.ReferencesFragoso, Heloisa. “An Overview of Employee Empowerment.” Trade and Economy. May 1999.Sandbulte, Arend. "Employee empowerment". Minnesota Power, June 2001. “Employee Empowerment and Total Quality Management.” Times Square, December 1999. “Empowering the people". 2000.