“It’s not in my job description.”
At our Job Canvas launch, we chatted with HR professionals from around the world and found out what they had to say about job descriptions.
In this blog we will share the Good, the Bad and the Ugly of what people pros liked and loathed about job descriptions.
1) The Good
Firstly, we’re going to start with the positives. We’re a positive psychology and wellbeing consultancy so it would be rude not to.
“Good to create role clarity, especially during change”.
What we have to say: We can agree, having a job description can create clarity about your roles and responsibilities in your job. However, often we find that they are not referred back to.
“Important for recruitment - to avoid discrimination & legally... if you end up in a tribunal”.
What we have to say: [Chloe says] I've just changed jobs, so am paying close attention to my new one! Before that it didn't evolve as my job evolved over time and didn't reflect a lot of what I did every day.
“A blue print for the skills you need to develop in the current role and the next”.
What we have to say: Yes, the job description can be something to refer back to, but surely there is a better way of listing your skills you need to develop? What about the purpose and value of your role?
2) The BAD
These are some of the frustrations HR professionals shared at our launch:
“Job descriptions can be overly constrictive”
“Too specific and not agile”
What we have to say: We also found this with job descriptions. A barrier that job descriptions present are that they restrict and constrain people, not enabling them to perform at their best. “
“Not actually describing what I do on an everyday basis”
“Don't accurately reflect the work that people do”
“Limiting and hold people back from promotion”
What we have to say: The reality of job descriptions are that they don’t actually capture the true description of what we do at work. Often, job descriptions are actually just works of fiction.
“It’s a snapshot in time”
“Describes one point in time and doesn't usually evolve”
What we have to say: Our jobs and roles are changing all of the time to adapt to the world around us. Yet, our job descriptions remain the same. Therefore, they are out of date pretty much as soon as they’re written.
“Only used for recruitment”
“They've become a tick box - people rarely use them for anything other than recruitment and they could be better”
What we have to say: Other than onboarding and recruitment, can you think of another time you’ve used your job description? Most of the time job descriptions are used as a recruitment /pay evaluation tool only.
3) The Ugly
“No mention of the meaning and purpose of your role”.
What we have to say: This is one of the biggest (ugliest) failings of job descriptions - the fact that they don’t capture or define the meaning and purpose of a job.
Over the last few years we have become more aligned and aware of our meaning and purpose at work. Yet, job descriptions are designed in a way that do not foster this. Not highlighting the impact of our jobs or an employees connection to the wider purpose of a job may lead to a disconnect and lack of engagement.
What do you think?
What do you think? Are you a job description lover or loather?
Be sure to let us know. We’d love to hear from you.
Also, you can check out the Job Canvas here.
