What exactly does "empowering your workforce" mean?

First of all, I'm a native English speaker but I'm not sure what this rather woolly "empower your workforce" phrase means.

Now it must resonate with managers because every elearning and and training company from Brisbane to Boston now seems to be using it.

My interpretation of this phrase is that employees will have the authority to make decisions.

Does this mean that elearning and training companies are really selling to managers the prospect of "having employees that get on with their own work without annoying you?"

Any insights or thoughts on this would be great!