Job Functions

What Are Job Functions?

A job function entails the various tasks or activities an individual performs as part of their responsibilities within an organization. This encompasses both daily duties and occasional projects. Essentially, job functions detail what an employee does within the organization.

Why Are Job Functions Important?

  • Clarify Job Listings and Define Job Titles: Job functions are crucial as they accompany job descriptions, offering prospective employees a clear understanding of the role before applying. For job seekers, this aids in determining if the role’s tasks align with their skills and interests.
  • Establish Job Competencies: Job functions clarify the skills and qualities needed for a role, helping candidates and employers understand the required expertise.
  • Guide Day-to-Day Responsibilities: For employees, job functions outline daily work expectations, providing clarity for new hires and establishing a framework for internal operations.
  • Serve as an Accountability Tool: A foundation for evaluating responsibilities, job functions allow both leaders and employees to track performance and align expectations.

Essential Job Functions

Determining whether a job function is essential involves evaluating if the position exists primarily to perform these duties, whether other employees can perform the function, and the required expertise. Essential functions are critical to the role’s main objectives.

Employees must be able to perform essential job functions, with or without reasonable accommodation. These functions are central to why the job exists.

Scaffolding Analogy

Think of essential functions like a house’s foundation or structure; without them, the house—and job—cannot stand.

Marginal Job Functions

Marginal functions are non-essential tasks that can be reassigned or removed as a reasonable accommodation for employees with disabilities. They do not impact the core purpose of the job if altered.

Reasonable Accommodations

In situations where an employee cannot perform a marginal function, such tasks may be temporarily or permanently reassigned to accommodate the employee’s needs, such as during recovery from a temporary impairment.

Distinguishing Essential from Marginal Job Functions

Essential Job Functions

  • Significant time commitment, often 20% or more.
  • Regularly performed tasks (daily, weekly, or monthly).
  • Fundamental to the role.

Marginal Job Functions

  • Typically require less than 10% of time.
  • Infrequently performed tasks or those that supplement other roles.
  • Less critical to the role’s core purpose.

Note: Frequency isn’t the only measure. For example, a firefighter’s job may rarely require rescuing individuals from fires, yet it remains an essential function.