How can an employer best prepare its ADA compliance program for this scrutiny? Consider the following steps and questions when developing your company’s job descriptions:
1. Designate one person or a group of persons to coordinate and oversee the drafting process. Authority should be centralized to ensure consistent policies and their objective application throughout the organization. Consider including input from employees at all levels. Front line employees generally know their jobs and their insights should be tapped my management.
2. Define the purpose of the job. That is, how does it contribute toward accomplishment of the organization’s overall objective?
3. Identify the functions which actually constitute the job. Unnecessary or incidental activities are not “essential” functions.
4. What is the relationship between the functions of the job? Should performance of the functions follow a particular sequence? If so, why?
5. Describe the physical qualifications of the job. Will the employee be required to lift or carry heavy objects, climb, kneel, run, etc.? Be specific. A videotape of the job’s physical requirements might be helpful in this regard.
6. Describe the mental or educational requirements for the job. Are advanced degrees or special licenses required? How much training will the employer provide?
7. How much time is spent performing each particular function and how often are they performed? What happens if a function is not completed on time?
8. Does an essential function of another job depend upon the performance of a function of this job?
9. How many employees perform the job function? Can the performance of that job function be distributed among any other employees?
10. Describe the physical setting of the job. Where are the essential functions of the job performed? Is the employee typically subjected to heat, cold, dampness, noise, etc.? Describe the social setting of the job. Will the employee work alone or in a group? What level of supervision is normally applied to the job? Is telecommuting by the employee and option?