A Closer Look...

Job analysis

A job analysis is a systematic study of jobs to determine what activities and responsibilities they include, their relative importance and relationship with other jobs, the personal qualifications necessary for performance of the jobs, and the conditions under which the work is performed. Three key elements included in the job analysis are commonly known as KSA's. Many organizations, particularly small organizations have not conducted a job analysis for their positions. Typically, as organizations grow, this becomes more important and therefore, more prevalent. The outcomes of a job analysis lead to defensible job descriptions and job specifications.

A job analysis can be used to:

1. Establish career paths / succession planning;
2. Provide organizational design;
3. Establish performance standards;
4. Provide effective performance appraisal criterion;
5. Improve time management / goal setting;
6. Determine training needs;
7. Conduct compensation administration;
8. Provide legal defenses: ADA, termination, workers' compensation;
9. Develop affirmative action plans; and
10. Improve recruiting.

Job descriptions

Following a job analysis, a job description can be readily prepared which summarizes the most important features of a job, including a description of the work that details the required tasks, knowledge, skills, abilities, responsibilities, and reporting structure. As part of the job description, elements for ADA and FLSA purposes can be identified and satisfied.

Benefits of accurate / well prepared job descriptions include:

1. Jobs are defined for performance planning, transfer, promotion, staff planning, career, and disability accommodation purposes;
2. Use of standard formats that allows for consistent application;
3. Provides a written definition of employee jobs;
4. Provides a reliable, documented source of data for comparing to job salary surveys;
5. Helps companies move swiftly to increase / replace staff due to increased business or turnover; and
6. Helps those responsible for work flow to perform a systematic analysis of the organizations' work processes from start to finish.

Our specific services

We can:

• Structure your job analysis methods
• Conduct job analyses
• Establish the job context, job content, job specifications / qualifications, and performance criteria
• Review current job descriptions for accuracy and defensibility
• Provide a format for both exempt and non-exempt positions
• Write the job descriptions