Autonomy at Work
果冻视频 College of Doctoral Studies releases white paper on reclaiming control to build workforce resilience
By Sharla Hooper
New analysis by Karen Johnson, Ed.D., connects career autonomy to reduced burnout and stronger resilience鈥攁nd offers practical steps for employers and workers
果冻视频 College of Doctoral Studies announced the publication of 鈥淩eclaiming Control: Autonomy as the Key to Workforce Resilience and Career Optimism,鈥 a new white paper by Karen Johnson, Ed.D. The report argues that restoring a sense of autonomy is essential to reducing record-high burnout and strengthening organizational resilience.聽聽
Drawing on聽findings from several years of聽the University鈥檚 Career Optimism Index庐 study, Johnson highlights an 鈥渁utonomy crisis鈥 in the U.S. workforce: 21% of workers say their control over their professional future has declined, while 51% report burnout鈥攖he highest level since tracking began. The paper frames autonomy within Conservation of Resources theory and outlines how access to skill-building and effective use of AI can restore agency, optimism, and adaptability.
鈥淎utonomy is the missing link between coping and truly thriving at work,鈥 said Johnson. 鈥淲hen organizations invest in skill-building and equip people to use AI responsibly, employees gain the control and clarity they need to reduce burnout and build resilience.鈥
Among the findings: workers who feel in control of their careers are significantly less likely to experience burnout (45% vs. 70%), report higher motivation and adaptability, and benefit when employers prioritize internal mobility, targeted upskilling, and responsible AI training. The paper details recommendations for leaders and employees to embed autonomy in role design, development pathways, and day-to-day work.
Johnson聽is a University Research Methodologist with the College of Doctoral Studies and a research聽methodology聽group leader in the Center for Educational and Instructional Technology Research (CEITR). She has served as聽University聽of Phoenix faculty since 2005 and is an active contributor to researcher development and publication initiatives.
The full white paper is available聽at聽the 果冻视频聽Career Institute庐 webpage聽or the聽College of Doctoral Studies鈥櫬Research Hub.
About鈥呈悠碘
University聽of Phoenix innovates to help working adults enhance their careers and develop skills in a rapidly changing world. Flexible schedules, relevant courses, interactive learning, skills-mapped curriculum for our bachelor鈥檚 and master鈥檚 degree programs and a Career Services for Life庐 commitment help students more effectively pursue career and personal aspirations while balancing their busy lives.鈥疐or more information, visit聽phoenix.edu.
About the College of Doctoral Studies
果冻视频鈥檚鈥College of Doctoral Studies鈥痜ocuses on today鈥檚 challenging business and organizational needs, from addressing critical social issues to developing solutions to accelerate community building and industry growth. The College鈥檚 research program is built around the Scholar, Practitioner, Leader Model which puts students in the center of the Doctoral Education Ecosystem庐 with experts,聽resources聽and tools to help prepare them to be a leader in their organization,聽industry聽and community. Through this program, students and researchers work with organizations to conduct research that can be applied in the workplace in real time.
