Job Description
Definition
A detailed summary of the responsibilities, duties, qualifications, and expectations of a specific role.
What is a Job Description?
A job description outlines the essential functions of a position, including its responsibilities, required skills, reporting relationships, and performance expectations. It also supports recruiting, compensation, performance management, and legal compliance.
Why are Job Descriptions Important for Employers?
- Helps accurately classify employees
- Sets clear performance expectations
- Supports ADA compliance (essential functions)
- Serves as documentation in discipline or termination cases
FAQs
What should a well-written job description include?
It should clearly outline the job title, essential duties and responsibilities, required qualifications, reporting relationships, and physical or work environment expectations.
Why are job descriptions important for compliance?
Accurate descriptions help ensure compliance with FLSA classifications, ADA accommodations, EEOC-related hiring practices, and pay transparency laws.
How often should job descriptions be updated?
Ideally, at least annually or whenever there’s a change in duties, structure, or regulatory requirements.
How ExtensisHR Can Help
We help create or review job descriptions to ensure:
- Alignment with business needs and FLSA standards
- Compliance with ADA and EEOC requirements
- Consistency across roles and departments
- Accuracy for compensation benchmarking