Vertical job loading increases what aspect of an employee's role?

Vertical job loading is a motivational approach designed to enhance the job characteristics of an employee's role by increasing the depth of the job. This means that employees are given more autonomy, responsibility, and decision-making authority over their tasks, leading to a greater sense of ownership and engagement in their work.

By focusing on the skill set required, vertical job loading encourages employees to develop and utilize higher-level skills as they take on more challenging tasks or responsibilities that often involve problem-solving, planning, or decision-making. This process does not simply mean increasing the number of tasks performed or the complexity of tasks without additional skills; rather, it aims to enhance the employee's role in a way that leverages their existing skills and challenges them to grow further.

Thus, the correct answer highlights that vertical job loading effectively increases the skill set required from the employee, fostering professional growth and potentially leading to greater job satisfaction and productivity.