Writing job descriptions is certainly not the most exciting task to perform. In fact, many HR specialists may feel the task is tedious, time consuming, and somewhat repetitive. While all of that may very well be true, the fact remains that accurate job descriptions form a fundamental support for the success of your business.
Want to stay up-to-date on all the latest HR news? Sign up now!
[contact-form-7]1.) Accountability for performance. In order to justly review an employee’s performance, it is necessary to provide a set of clear and concise expectations in the beginning. Job descriptions that are a moving target may be necessary for organizations that are in transition, but should not be anything more than a temporary situation. Employees want to feel successful in their work. If both parties are unsure of exactly what the role entails, you are a contributing force to the possibility of missed goals and underperformance.
2.) Transparency of expectations. The old phrase “and other tasks as assigned” may create a useful loophole for the organization, but it will likely lead to turnover in the event it is used frequently or abused. Employees, who are given a full understanding of the nature of their role, will know whether the opportunity is a right fit for them. Incomplete or inaccurate descriptions which downplay key activities and requirements may get someone to accept the position, but it won’t keep them there for long.
3.) Successful hiring. Take the time to identify and articulate what abilities are necessary for each role. By understanding what skill sets an employee must possess in order to be the right candidate and a good fit, you increase the probability of making a successful hire that will be productive. Hiring is an investment in both time and money so it pays to do it right the first time.
4.) Efficiency in operations. Analyzing your job descriptions is an excellent start for streamlining business functions and procedures within operations. Knowing the daily tasks involved with the role of the employee allows you to identify redundancies and remove them from an operational standpoint.
5.) Sustainability for the future. Job descriptions are created based upon a combination of organizational need and volume of work. As these parameters change over the course of the life cycle of the business so might the positions within the company. If the current descriptions were written during a different stage in your business cycle, it is probably time to take a second look. Whether changes need to be made to reflect current work load or future business trends, it is essential to know how long your descriptions will remain relevant.
Accurate job descriptions can lay the ground work for success across all industries and skill levels. It’s a great time to review your existing job descriptions. Fortunately, you need not burden your already overworked staff with such a task. Reach out to one of our HR professionals to see how we can help you get started re-evaluating and updating your descriptions.
The post Five Critical Functions of Accurate Job Descriptions appeared first on HR Affiliates.