In a boxing match when two players are fighting there is a ring outside which the fight between the boxers is not allowed, similarly in case of a job, there is job description which similar to the ring and employees are like boxers. Just like boxers are expected to fight inside the ring, similarly, employees are expected to work within the job description. Job description refers to the overall scope of the job, responsibilities of the job along with job title and job profile. In order to understand about the job description better, one should look at the advantages and disadvantages of the job description –
Advantages of Job Description
Clarity about Job to Employee
The biggest advantage of the job description is that it provides clarity to the employee about his or her job which helps the employee in knowing about the duties and responsibilities of the job. Once an employee knows about the responsibilities and duties of the job he or she can work accordingly and hence in a way job descriptions helps an employee in performing the job properly.
Base for Employer to take Action
Another advantage of it is that the employer can take the action easily if it finds that employee has not done the job according to the description. Hence in simple words, the description of the job provides the base or acts as a yardstick with the help of which the employer can segregate between good employees and bad employees.
Helpful in Recruitment
In case of recruitment also job descriptions comes handy as due to it only those people apply who possess all the qualities as described in description of the job which reduces the task of company considerably as they have to screen less number of applicants as majority of applicants not having the desired qualification for the job do not apply for the job after reading the description about the job.
Disadvantages of Job Description
Too Rigid
The biggest disadvantage of job description is that sometimes it could be too rigid in the sense that if employee has the capability to perform other tasks in the company but due to description of the job he or she cannot do the task than it will lead to frustration in the mind of the employee and indirectly it is also a loss to the company as company will miss out on the extra work and talent of the employee. In simple words, it is like asking a boxer to fight with one hand only.
No Scope of Help
Another limitation of it is that there is no scope of help or corporation between employees as every employee will do work according to his or her description of the job and if some employee is unable to do the work than other employees may not help him or her even after knowing the solution which can create animosity and attitude of indifference between the employees of the company.
Outdated
The job descriptions are made keeping present conditions in mind but we all know that how technology is changing and due to changes chances of description getting outdated are high and hence either company has to constantly change the job description according to change in technology and trend which involves cost or it has to keep it outdated.
As one can see from the pros and cons of the job description that it is a very important task as far as the company is concerned and that is the reason why the company should carefully read above points and then make a proper job description keeping all factors in mind so that both the company as well as employees benefit from this exercise.