Physical Requirements and Job Descriptions
(LANGUAGE FOR ADA COMPLIANT JOB DESCRIPTIONS)
Many employers have written job descriptions for positions at their companies. However, most companies don’t realize that including the physical requirements and working conditions of a position is as important as the duties and qualifications. If there are environmental, psychological, and or physiological requirements that applicants or employees must meet, these should be included in the job description.
Documenting the physical requirements and working conditions is
useful in determining accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act
(ADA). It is also helpful in defending a claim of disability
discrimination. When a charge of
discrimination is brought under the ADA, and initial issue will be whether the
disabled individual could perform not only the essential functions of the
position with or without reasonable accommodation but could also perform the physical
requirements.
When listing physical requirements, a task should state that
specific physical exertion, such as lifting, standing, bending, or reaching, is
required. Remember to consider whether a process is truly an essential part of
a task.
If a
physical demand is not essential in the performance of the job, then reference
to that demand should be omitted.
Amount of Time
|
Wording
|
None
|
Omit from Job Description
|
Under 1/3
|
Seldom to
Occasionally
|
1/3 to 2/3
|
Occasionally
to Frequently
|
Over 2/3
|
Constantly
|
Physical Demand
|
ADA Compliant Words
|
Job Description Language Example
|
Stand or Sit
|
Stationary position
|
Must be able to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time.
|
Walk
|
Move, Traverse
|
The
person in this position needs to occasionally move about inside the office to
access file cabinets, office machinery, etc.
|
Use
hands/fingers to handle or feel
|
Operate, Activate, Use, Prepare, Inspect, Place, Detect,
Position
|
Constantly operates a computer and other office
productivity machinery such as a calculator, copy machine and computer
printer.
|
Climb
(stairs/ladders) or balance
|
Ascend/Descend,
Work atop, Traverse
|
Occasionally ascends/descends a
ladder to service the lights and ceiling fans
|
Stoop,
kneel, crouch or crawl
|
Position self (to), Move
|
Constantly positions self to maintain computers in the lab,
including under the desks and in the server closet
|
Talk/hear
|
Communicate, Detect, Converse
with, Discern, Convey, Expresse oneself, Exchange information
|
The person in this position frequently communicates with
students who have inquiries about their tuition bill or financial aid
package. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.
|
See
|
Detect,
Determine, Perceive, Identify, Recognize, Judge, Observe, Inspect, Estimate,
Assess
|
Must be able to detect funnel clouds from long distances.
|
Taste/Smell
|
Detect,
Distinguish, Determine
|
Occasionally
must be able to distinguish sweet and bitter flavors when creating desserts
for Applewood customers.
|
Carry weight, lift
|
Move,
Transport, Position, Put, Install, Remove
|
Frequently
moves Audio/Visual equipment weighing up to 50 pounds across campus for
various classrooms and events needs.
|
Exposure
to work environments
|
Exposed, work around
|
Constantly works in outdoor weather conditions.
|
Source: Office of Human Resources - Mott Community College
Lauren Sims is the
article’s author and the Director of Human Resources.
eqHR
Solutions provides professional, tactical
and strategic human resources support; ADP payroll product implementation/training
and payroll processing services for businesses throughout Southern California.
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