Physical / Mental Capabilities and Working Conditions in Job Description?

[Amy Lynn]

The company I work for had an ISO Auditor come in to perform our ISO Training. He suggested that we make all of out Job Descriptions as short and concise as possible. He gave an an example Job Description Form (length = 1 page) which included the following items:
Position Title:
Reports To:
Supervises:
Job Summary:
Job Responsibilities:
Job Skill Requirements:

It is a good form-- very short and sweet. However, on the form, he does not specify any physical / mental capabilities (ie -- "Up to 1/3 of the time sitting, 1/3 to 2/3 walking, 2/3 or more standing" or "Mathematics: Basic math and trigonometry") or working conditions (ie -- "Moderate noise levels, occasionally exceed 65 decibels" or "Up to 1/3 of the time exposed to moving machinery, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals"). It seems like these specifics are important in a machining or manufacturing industry (especially for the safety of the employee), but if I do add all of these specifics, my job descriptions end up being 3 to 4 pages, as opposed to our ISO Trainers example form which is only one page.

Are these specifics things that I have to include? Are they things that could be included elsewhere? I'd rather not put them in if I don't have to, but I don't want to jeapordize the safety of our employees.

Any information would help.

Thanks,

Amy Lynn

 

[energy]

Just my thoughts

However, on the form, he does not specify any physical / mental capabilities (ie -- "Up to 1/3 of the time sitting, 1/3 to 2/3 walking, 2/3 or more standing" or "Mathematics: Basic math and trigonometry") or working conditions (ie -- "Moderate noise levels, occasionally exceed 65 decibels" or "Up to 1/3 of the time exposed to moving machinery, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals"). It seems like these specifics are important in a machining or manufacturing industry (especially for the safety of the employee), but if I do add all of these specifics, my job descriptions end up being 3 to 4 pages, as opposed to our ISO Trainers example form which is only one page.

Are these specifics things that I have to include? Are they things that could be included elsewhere? I'd rather not put them in if I don't have to, but I don't want to jeapordize the safety of our employees.

Any information would help.

Thanks,

Amy Lynn

These things can be put in the application package (conditions) for employment, no?

 

[Randy Stewart]

Why do you have to have job descriptions? It is not a requirement for ISO.
If you want to outline the roles and responsibilities that way fine but it is not a requirement to do so.
Keep them as short as possible you don't need details. If all that is required is print reading, then say it. You are not trying to fill the position through a trade magazine, you are just outlining what the job is.

 

[db]

I hate job descriptions! they are typically too basic to do any good. As Stew pointed out, they are not required. What is required is that you "determine the necessary competence for personnel performing work affecting product quality." The differences have been discussed in various threads.

 

[CINDY]

Amy Lynn,

As far as your shop atmosphere is concernd, we listed our as "Inside Shop Area" for working conditions with "Physical attributes to perform job functions". In listing it that way, it kept it short and sweet. More detail is given for each position such as blueprint knowledge, computer knowledge, basic machine knowledge etc.

Try to keep it basic and easy.

Cindy

 

[RoxaneB]

I agree with Randy about the perceived need to have a Job Description. Seems like the need to demonstrate comptency has something similar to measuring Customer satisfaction. Organizations have a difficult time thinking outside of the box for other tools to us.

Prior to our Transition Audit, my Organizaion did not have Job Descriptions. Our work culture said that they were too restrictive and made some people prone to saying "That's not my job." Caveat or no caveat stating "...and whatever else your Supervisor asks you to do."

Well, one Transition Audit and a new HR Manager later, we now have Job Descriptions in place. I have never seen my own Job Description, I was never asked what it was I actually do (that's difficult enough for me to answer, how does someone who doesn't do my job know it?), and the ones that I have seen seem too long and cumbersome to be very useful. They almost look more like Job Ads in the waiting.

Amy Lyn, how about using a matrix? List all the positions along one axis and all the mental/physical requirements along the other. It's a quick way to compare positions at a glace and, not knowing your work environment, helps generate training when people transfer from one position to another.

 

[Randy]

Why do you have to have job descriptions? It is not a requirement for ISO.
If you want to outline the roles and responsibilities that way fine but it is not a requirement to do so.
Keep them as short as possible you don't need details. If all that is required is print reading, then say it. You are not trying to fill the position through a trade magazine, you are just outlining what the job is.

Apparently you and a few others have never been a defendent during an EEOC lawsuit or other litigation concerning workers/employees. There are other things besides ISO. If you're required to have something that is required by law the best thing to do is to make it as strong and meaningful as you can.

 

[db]

Apparently you and a few others have never been a defendent during an EEOC lawsuit or other litigation concerning workers/employees. There are other things besides ISO. If you're required to have something that is required by law the best thing to do is to make it as strong and meaningful as you can.

No I haven't, and I would never suggest that anyone do anything outside of the law. I even drive the speed limit! However, the context of the post dealt with ISO training. In the ISO world, job descriptions are not required. Any company I have dealt with where job descriptions were required, they were required by union contract. I yet, have to see one where they were required by law.

 

[CINDY]

If you do not have job descriptions, how does everyone within the organization know what their job is, how they contribute, or what minimum requirements are associated with a specific title/description?

I agree with the matrix, not only for descriptions but for capabilities as well. Without our capability chart we would not know who was qualified to run what machine. This is how ours is set up.

And, if it is not an ISO requirements, why has ours been viewed for the past three years?

Cindy

 

[RoxaneB]

If you do not have job descriptions, how does everyone within the organization know what their job is, how they contribute, or what minimum requirements are associated with a specific title/description?

Training. Documentation that says who does what in order for the process to carry forward. No where did an HR document state that I was responsible for developing the Internal Audit Schedule. But the document on scheduling Internal Audits states the Quality Assurance Coordinator performs this task and when and how, etc. My training plan shows that I need to be trained on that document. Once signed off, that indicates that not only do I know that it is my responsibility to do schedule Audits but I also have been trained on how.

I agree with the matrix, not only for descriptions but for capabilities as well. Without our capability chart we would not know who was qualified to run what machine. This is how ours is set up.

Good idea! We have a similar set-up in a software programme that shows all training each individual has had so that we can help take over for a position/tasks as necessary.

And, if it is not an ISO requirements, why has ours been viewed for the past three years?

a) Because odds are that was the tool shown when the Auditor asked how responsibilities were communicated to Employees.
b) Auditors, like some Organizations, sometimes forget there is more than one way to address a "shall."