Friday, July 08, 2005

Job descriptions, Stating the obvious in

When writing or revising an official job description, be sure to include ridiculously obvious requirements and duties. A real life example:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and reach with arms and hands. The employee is occassionally required to stand, talk or hear, and smell.
Do you smell? Then perhaps this job is for you!

http://kdla.ky.gov/libsupport/jobline/stclaire.htm

4 comments:

Didi said...

Very funny blog!

But, the reason for stating the obvious is because they can avoid having to deal with hiring/not hiring the physically handicapped. If they put in the job description that you have to be able to stand, that limits the pool of applicants to those not confined to wheelchairs; the job requires someone who can hear, so they don't have to deal with hiring/not hiring a deaf individual. It's a backhanded way to get out of dealing with that issue and avoid lawsuits for not hiring the physically handicapped.

ShellyS said...

Good point, cosmo-tini. Similar to the silly sounding warning labels, such as Coffee may be HOT, as a hedge against frivilous lawsuits.

Anonymous said...

Some "essential" requirements listed in a recent MLS job posting:

"Must have the ability to crate [sic] a team spirit. Must be able to effectively ascertain and handle problematic situations. Must be able to effectively juggle multiple projects and deadlines. Must be able to carry out emergency procedures
when necessary. Must be able to efficiently utilize word processing and databases."

Should I apply? My juggling is quite effective, but my tendency to carry
out unnecessary emergency procedures often crates problematic situations.

Mike

J said...

Maybe the job ad actually means you have CRATE team spirit. Corner it, capture it, sedate it, roll it in bubble wrap, immerse it in foam peanuts, and seal it up in a wooden crate.