What is the term for the authority that a manager uses in directing their own department's employees?

The term that describes the authority a manager uses in directing their own department's employees is labeled as line authority. Line authority grants managers the right to make decisions, issue orders, and direct the activities of their subordinates without needing permission from higher levels of management. This authority is characterized by a clear chain of command, where managers are responsible for their specific areas or departments and have direct control over the employees within those areas.

In contrast, staff authority involves providing advice, support, or services to line managers, but does not carry the same decision-making power within direct reporting structures. Functional authority, on the other hand, is used when someone has the authority over a specific function across various departments, not just within their own. Advisory authority typically refers to a role where individuals provide recommendations without having direct authority to implement decisions, which is distinct from the directive power associated with line authority.