The Importance of Having Clearly-Defined Job Descriptions

The Importance of Clear Job Descriptions as Recruiting and Management Tools

The Importance of Having Clearly-Defined Job DescriptionsThere are undoubtedly many employees who have objected, graciously or not, to specific requests by their respective supervisors on the basis that those tasks or actions were not part of their customary responsibilities and job descriptions. In many instances, this can lead to some debate between the two parties, with the employee ultimately conceding, albeit with a degree of contempt or reservation, just to keep the peace.

Alternatively, situations most assuredly exist in which employees have been struggling to meet expectations, not due to any lack of effort or ability on their part but likely because they were unclear about the standards of performance for their respective jobs. This can often result in an uncomfortable meeting about the employee’s future with the company, and even the termination of a confused but otherwise highly reliable and valuable asset.

Indeed, these are real-life circumstances not just scenarios contrived for dramatic effect; and the common denominator in these and similar types of workplace incompatibilities is quite often the lack of a clear job description.

The responsibility for formally describing each and every job in a company rests squarely with the employer, yet it is not sufficient to just throw them together, so to speak; time and effort must be invested to ensure their clarity, accuracy, and comprehensiveness, due to the importance of jobs descriptions as recruiting tools and as management tools.

Clearly-written job descriptions can form the basis of many business processes, such as:

  • Job postings
  • Recruiting/staffing
  • Defining expectations
  • Performance management
  • Training/personal development
  • Compensation and merit increases

Consequently, employers can realize a range of benefits when they place the appropriate importance on the preparation and clarity of job their descriptions; such benefits include:

  • Alignment of employee responsibilities with corporate goals
  • Targeted recruiting strategies, leading to good hiring decisions
  • Consistency in the assessment of performance, merit increases
  • Identification of/allocation of funds to requisite training programs
  • Standardization of compensation across all levels and departments
  • Reference material in the event of legal actions filed by an employee
  • Templates for return-to-work programs subsequent to leaves/injuries
  • Performance baselines for the creation of bonus or incentive programs

By developing and maintaining job descriptions for all positions within their company, an employer will establish a foundation of vital human resources programs from which they can build their growth and success.

Employers who feel they might be lacking such a base, or those who are uncertain about the completeness and clarity of their current job descriptions, may benefit by consulting with the professionals at Winters Technical Staffing, a leading staffing agency in Toronto for more than 40 years; these experienced specialists can provide valuable assistance to employers on the types of information that should be included, and how it should be written, when describing any and all jobs within their respective workforces.

The Vital Information that Should Be Included When Describing a Job in Writing

The Importance of Having Clearly-Defined Job DescriptionsAs part of their comprehensive staffing services, Winters Technical Staffing can help their clients prepare job descriptions that will function as effective recruiting and management tools. The extensive knowledge and skills of the Winters Technical Staffing consultants will be valuable assets in developing content for the areas of focus essential to describing a job.

These areas, and their respective content, consist of the following:

  • Job Title
    • This should clearly define the specific role and its level within the organization
  • Salary Range
    • Specify the entry level, mid-range, and maximum base salary for the position
    • Can also include avenues for additional compensation (commissions, bonuses)
  • Purpose Statement
    • A brief paragraph outlining the main function and explicit objectives of the job
  • Description of the Role
    • A detailed list/summary of the specific duties and tasks in order of importance
    • Emphasis should be placed on daily/recurring matters, i.e.: not all possibilities
    • Stating ‘And other duties as assigned’ allows new tasks to be added as needed
  • Skills and Experience
    • Specific explanations of the knowledge and abilities needed to perform the job
  • Job Location and Schedule
    • Clearly define the location(s), work days or hours, and any potential overtime
    • Also describe any explicit working conditions/settings or physical requirements
  • Reporting Structure
    • All reporting relationships – their immediate supervisor plus any direct reports
    • All working relationships – people or departments with whom they will interact

For more information about the full range of staffing services and resources available to employers from the professionals at Winters Technical Staffing, including their support in addressing the importance of having a library of clearly-defined job descriptions, please visit services.

Contact Winters Today

Looking for professional support to assist you in preparing clear and comprehensive job descriptions for your employee base? Call the staffing specialists from Winters Technical Staffing at 416-495-7422 today or contact us to book a complimentary consultation on how we can help meet your needs.

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