Why job descriptions are important
From my personal experience, having job descriptions makes responsibilities and goals more clear. When job descriptions are ambiguous, it leaves room for conflict in the workplace. I was recently working at a preschool where the terms lead teacher and associate teacher have very different job descriptions, and defining them was necessary for employee cooperation and satisfaction.
According to the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), job descriptions are the best way to communicate to employees exactly what is expected of them. They state “without clear communications, employees may not perform to your expectations” (SHRM.org). Without a clear description, employees may not know what their responsibilities are, or may feel that they do not need to do things because it is not in their job description. Expectations are important within a workforce, and that begins with a job description.
Additionally, we learned that ambiguous job descriptions may lead to legal complications. A job description defines exactly what is expected, but also what will be compensated. A specific description may be helpful if an employee feels like they have not been compensated properly, as their responsibilities can also be referenced.
Disadvantages of Job Descriptions
According to Market Recruitment, job descriptions are outdated and can make a position feel “static” (market.recruitment.co.uk). Employees may be more likely to have a “that’s not in my job description” mindset with such a rigid procedure of their responsibilities. Job ambiguity many lead to more exploration and advanced opportunities in a company.
Additionally, certain titles may lead to certain resentment. As I mentioned earlier, I have recent experience with this. As a student employee I was viewed as a lower title than the coworkers I had more responsibilities than, and it lead to a lot of resentment between the lead teachers and the other student employees.
Takeaway
Job descriptions can be beneficial for defining expectations, for both the employee and the employer. However, it can also leave room for resentment and ambiguity when it comes to job responsibilities.
References
Dodgson, M. (2022, February 9). Disadvantages of job descriptions. Market Recruitment. https://www.market-recruitment.co.uk/blog/disadvantages-of-job-descriptions/
Why you should have job descriptions. (n.d.). Welcome to SHRM | The Voice of All Things Work. https://www.shrm.org/topics-tools/news/talent-acquisition/job-descriptions