Why are Job Descriptions So Important?
Advantages of having carefully prepared, properly used job descriptions should be obvious to managers and supervisory personnel. But because so many of us have not prepared and used job descriptions properly, many of these benefits have been lost or overlooked. Consider the following: • Job descriptions clarify who is responsible for what within the company. They also help identify relationships between individuals, between departments, etc. When used to advantage, they can settle grievances, “nip conflicts in the bud”, and improve communications. • Job descriptions help the employee understand the responsibilities of the position. This not only enables the employee to assess the relative importance of everything he or she is accountable for, but also provides a sense of where the job fits into the larger picture. • Job descriptions are helpful to job applicants, to employees, to supervisors and to personnel at every stage in the employment relationship. They provide information about
