Job descriptions typically include the following types of information:
- Job Identification (title, FLSA status, department, position reports to, etc.)
- Job Summary: Reason for the job to exist
- Task Statements – What you are expected to do
- Working Conditions – Outside vs. inside, etc.
Challenges/Maintenance: Keeping them up to date; especially true in dynamic environments where jobs change quickly
Usually, job descriptions aren’t viewed as living documents and many organizations don’t realize the importance of the job descriptions! According to Jill Bidwell, PHR, senior HR generalist at hydraulic manufacturer Sauer-Danfoss in Ames, says ” the job description is the mother of all HR processes. Everything from recruitment and training to performance evaluations and compensation all stems from that document.”
In my own experience, I have never seen job descriptions updated at any company I have worked for. If they were updated, I wasn’t notified. I also don’t often look at my job description document, even though I should. I do feel like I am “hitting” all the marks, but it would be good to go over my job description to ensure I am, and to also maybe advocate for an update if I notice a large discrepancy.
Development:
I have never personally been in a position where I needed to develop of job description. After reviewing the learning materials for this week, I know think of job descriptions as a different tool than I had before. If organizations take careful thought and planning to make job descriptions well, they can help drive further things such as help with recruiting, performance management and compensation.
In order to have a well-developed job description, one can take different approaches, but data analysis is key. This helps match tasks with KSAQ’s or competencies.
Overcoming Challenges:
- Annual review or some cadence of review of job descriptions to ensure accuracy
- Use the whole team to develop/update
- Keep open communication with employees to know when changes have occurred, and updates need to be made
Sources:
- Week 4 MGMT 453 Lecture
- Job Worth Doing: Update Descriptions (shrm.org)
