In yesterday’s CED, we told the cautionary tale of a job description that lost a lawsuit. Today, we offer more on job descriptions and lawsuit avoidance, and we’ll take a look at a unique collection of job descriptions—already written and ready to use.
Employment laws are numerous, and it’s a challenge for managers to learn them all, says Don Paullin, principal/president of Hiring Firing Experts, Inc. “A simpler way is to work everything you do off of the job description. For legal compliance, simply stay with the job description for your hiring, firing, performance appraisals, raises, and promotions.”
Do You Wonder If What You Are Doing Is Legal?
The good news is that you don’t have to be a lawyer to figure out what questions are illegal, Paullin says. If you wonder if it is illegal … chances are it is. You will generally stay out of trouble if you just make sure that all your questions are job-related and consistent across the board.
The Uncomplicated Acid Test
There is a long list of areas in which it is illegal for you to ask questions, Paullin says. “Here’s the list of areas in which you can ask questions: job-related. Yes, you have it, a list of one—questions that are job related,” says Paullin. “This is the acid test, and this removes the complication.
“I know somebody will say there are exceptions called bona fide occupational qualifications (BFOQs). My advice is forget them unless you have a bona fide legal defense fund,” Paullin quips.
Instant 24/7 access to all your job descriptions. Start with our 2,400-description library. We store—you customize, print, download, e-mail. Find out more.
Additionally, attorney Mindy Chapman’s blog, Case in Point, offers these tips for using your job descriptions:
- Never interview without the job description in front of you.
- Make your job description like a grocery list of specific skills you are looking for. Make it detailed. Be sure to describe:
- Physical skills such as lifting, bending, and pulling
- Learned skills such as using specific software programs
- Behavioral skills such as time management skills
- Job duties such as hours, travel, shifts, and overtime
Job Descriptions Are Fundamental
Job descriptions are in many ways the basic HR tool. But they’re neglected in many organizations.
It’s not hard to see why—job description maintenance is easy to put off, and it’s not exactly glamorous work. But that doesn’t mean it’s not critical.
What’s the best way to manage a whole company’s worth of job descriptions? We asked the editors at our parent company, Business & Legal Resources, and they came up with an amazing program called the Job Description Manager.
Job Description Hassles a Thing of the Past
Now you can easily create, maintain, and organize your job descriptions on BLR’s Job Description Manager website. This online tool provides you with:
–Job descriptions for more than 2,400 job titles
–Customizable to fit your specific needs
–Stored on our site and accessible 24/7 from any computer, anywhere
–Easy to access and update—your latest copy is just clicks away
–Available to download and print or even e-mail your job descriptions
The Job Description Manager is the most comprehensive and useful job description tool on the Web. And we’ll stand behind that pledge: If you are not totally satisfied at any time, we will refund your entire subscription cost.