Why Have Job Descriptions for Employees?

Job Descriptions - More paper, more hassle, more legalities or are they more than all of that?  I say they are way more than that.

Job descriptions not only explain what a person is responsible for in a particular position but they also give them other information including:

• Who they report to,
• Who they supervise,
• Their competencies, abilities and physical requirements,
• The skills, education and any licenses or certifications required for the position.

Every company should have detailed job descriptions for their employees.  Everyone then knows what they are expected to do in their positions and the employee knows what to expect from the company.  Think of it as a contract of sorts between you and the employee -- each has an obligation to the other.

Too often in my consulting business, I hear complaints from employees who tell me that they didn't know they were supposed to be doing something or I hear from an employer that the employee is just not performing to the qualifications and responsibilities of their position.  I can honestly say that in 99% of these cases, there are no job descriptions in place and no Policy and Procedure manuals either.  

How can you hold an employee responsible for something that they did or didn't do if they didn't know they were supposed to do it or know how to do it?  Or how can you hold an employee responsible in a disciplinary issue if you don't have a job description to back up what you are giving them notice for?

Job descriptions are good for employees but they are also necessary for employers too.  If you don't have them and you want to terminate someone for poor performance, what do you use to evaluate their performance?  What measurement tool do you have that will stand up in court or in a labor law dispute if they file claim against you for wrongful termination?

Job descriptions protect you and your profitability in more than one way.  If you don't have job descriptions in place in your company, no matter how big or small your company is, call someone and get them in place now -- before there is an issue.  The money you spend today to get them in place will surely save you money later when an issue arises.

Charlene S Reed, Owner/Author

www.MyConstructionOffice.com

"Construction Administration Handbook"