Most people think that job descriptions are just a piece of paper issued by HR, when they really matter. They assist with everything from hiring, training and performance reviews to deciding how much people should be paid (Tyler 2013). In my experience working in restaurants, I’ve seen that unclear or outdated job descriptions lead to confusion. Employees may not even know what they are supposed to be doing, which can result in frustration, unfair workloads or errors.
Keeping job descriptions accurate and current is one large task. As Tyler (2013) put it in “Job Worth Doing: Update Descriptions,” Most companies write a job description and never look back. But few jobs remain the same over time, particularly in constantly shifting workplaces like restaurants. When job descriptions are old, they no longer reflect what employees do. This can create issues with performance reviews, training and potentially legal problems if disputes arise over who is responsible.
It is also difficult to get both managers and employees engaged. Managers are busy and don’t always think about updating job descriptions; employees might be embarrassed about offering feedback. However, both sides are needed. Employees know what they do every day and managers understand corporate goals. Human Resources can assist in this effort by having a conversation with each about reviewing their job descriptions once a year, especially around performance reviews, to ensure that everything still reflects the work they are performing.
To solve these problems, companies need to consider job descriptions as living documents that evolve and change along with their role. The use of technology, including online human resources systems, can help make these types of updates easier and quicker to implement. Keeping us updated, he said, “saves time later and helps everyone understand the position better”.
A clear and updated job description is not just a sign of respect for employees but a critical component in keeping the entire organization running smoothly. Such a job worth doing is worth describing well, after all.
Tyler, K. (2013). Job Worth Doing: Update Descriptions. HR Magazine.