Job descriptions and analysis are an important aspect of any role in a company. My most recent experience facing challenges in regards to job descriptions would be where I work currently. I am a Express Technician at Toyota of Corvallis and with that title there are set expectations of the work we will perform. This entails basic diagnoses, oil changes, tire rotations, brake inspections and regular maintenance plans. This is done in teams of two with an “A tech” and “B tech” with the work being split and the A tech being the head technician on the vehicle.
A challenge we most often face is team members becoming distracted with other work. Other technicians in the shop are not responsible for holding individuals responsible for their work scope. So when a team member becomes distracted with other work, it puts us down a man and the other member has to pick up for their slack. This is most often solved by the A tech going over to the team member and just asking for them to get re focused on the task at hand. But occasionally further action needs to be taken.
Most recently we had a team meeting where we redefined the expectations to our position. And with that, there was a reminder that we are able to help other technicians but only when our work scope is finished and there is down time present.
Another challenge we face is individuals not wanting to work. This is caused from the hourly pay we receive as a new lack of management. Our previous supervisor quit the position a few weeks ago which resulted in us now being unsupervised. Thus creating a lack holding workers accountable to actually do their work while clocked in. This is an issue that we have been unable to solve as of now. Our original plan of holding our peers accountable is not working out as there is a lack of respect and authority when you are speaking to coworkers in the same position as you.
In my situation, the work description is well defined but it is not being implemented in a practical manner due to a lack of management and accountability.
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