Which method is used to increase the skill set of an employee by combining various job tasks?

The method used to increase the skill set of an employee by combining various job tasks is best represented by vertical job loading. This approach focuses on adding responsibilities and challenges to an employee’s role, allowing them to engage in more complex and rewarding work. By doing this, the employee gains new skills and experiences, thereby enhancing their overall contributions and satisfaction in the workplace.

Vertical job loading involves increasing the depth of a job by including more challenging tasks that may require higher-level decision-making and a greater sense of ownership and responsibility. This contrasts with other methods like job rotation, which involves moving employees between different jobs at the same level, and horizontal job loading, which adds more of the same type of task at a similar level without increasing complexity or responsibility. Job simplification is aimed at breaking down tasks into simpler components to streamline performance, which would typically reduce skill variety. Thus, vertical job loading is notably effective for skill development because it combines various tasks that elevate both job significance and employee capability.