| Why an Effective Job Description Makes Good Business Sense | |
Part 1: Five Tips About Job Descriptions
By Susan M. Heathfield
Effectively developed, the job description is a communication tool that is significant in your organization's success. A poorly written job description, on the other hand, adds to workplace confusion, hurts communication, and makes people feel as if they don't know what is expected from them.
A job description is a written statement of the duties, responsibilities, required qualifications, and reporting relationships of a particular job. The job description is based on objective information obtained through job analysis, an understanding of the competencies and skills required to accomplish needed tasks, and the needs of the organization to produce work. The job description clearly identifies and spells out the responsibilities of a specific job. The job description also includes information about working conditions, tools, equipment used, knowledge and skills needed, and relationships with other positions.
Still uncertain about the value of job descriptions? Consider these tips about employee job descriptions.
Job descriptions provide an
opportunity to clearly communicate your company direction and where the employee fits inside of the big picture.
Whether you're a small business or a large, multi-site organization, well-written job descriptions will help you align employee direction. Alignment of the people you employ with your goals, vision, and mission spells success for your organization. As a leader, you assure the interfunctioning of all the different positions and roles needed to get the job done for the customer.
Job descriptions set clear
expectations for what you expect from people.
According to Ferdinand Fournies in Why Don't Employees Do What They're Supposed to Do and What To Do About It," (see sidebar) this is the first place to look if people aren't doing what you want them to do. He says you need to make certain that they clearly understand your expectations. This understanding starts with the job description.
Job descriptions help you cover
all your legal bases.
As an example, for compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), you'll want to make certain the description of the physical requirements of the job is accurate.
Whether you're recruiting new
employees or posting jobs for internal applicants, the job description tells the candidate exactly what you want in your selected
person.
A clear job description can help you select your preferred candidate and address the issues and questions of those people who were not selected.
A well-written job description helps organization
employees, who must work with the person hired, understand the boundaries of the person's responsibilities.
People who have been involved in the hiring process are more likely to support the success of the new employee or promoted co-worker. Developing job descriptions is an easy way to involve people in your organization's success.
Copyright 2002 by Susan M. Heathfield
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Five Warnings About Job Descriptions > Page
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