3 Big Benefits of Updating Each Employee’s Physical Job Description
Reduce Costs with a More Effective Return to Work Policy
Imagine an employee gets injured on the job, and their doctor clears them for light-duty work, but their official physical job description lists the position as “medium duty.” Because of this outdated information, the employee can’t legally and safely return to work, which leads to staffing delays, lost productivity, and potentially higher workers’ compensation costs.
This situation happens more often than you think. Outdated or inaccurate physical job descriptions can significantly impact your business, hinder your ability to safely reintegrate injured workers, and may lead to unnecessary legal and financial burdens.
Why Your Company Needs Accurate Physical Job Descriptions
Making regular physical job description updates for each employee is a smart investment for any business. Here are the top three reasons why.
1. Reduced Workers’ Compensation Costs: According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, the chances of returning to full employment after a six-month absence due to injury or illness is 55.4 percent. That drops to 32.2 percent after one year and 4.9 percent after two years. An accurate physical job description can facilitate a smoother and faster return-to-work process, which can minimize a business’s financial losses.
2. Safer Work Environment: Outdated job descriptions can lead to employee assignments for tasks that exceed their physical capabilities. Updated job descriptions ensure a better match between workers’ abilities and the physical demands on job descriptions. This will ultimately reduce the risk of re-injury and/or additional injuries.
3. Improved Compliance: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) emphasizes the importance of accurate job descriptions for workplace safety. You should regularly review and update your descriptions to ensure compliance with safety regulations and minimize legal risks.
Don’t let outdated job descriptions hinder your company’s success.
Contact McClure Ergonomics TODAY for a comprehensive assessment of your physical job descriptions!
3 Best Practices for a Physical Job Description
Is it time to update your company’s physical job descriptions? Consider these tips.
● Individualize assessments: A “one-size-fits-all” approach won’t do. Conduct a thorough analysis of each position to accurately assess the physical demands in the job description, including lifting, bending, reaching, and walking requirements. Consider consulting with an ergonomics professional to ensure accuracy.
● Use clear and concise language: Avoid vague terminology. Use clear language to describe the physical job demands. Be sure to also include the frequency and duration of these activities.
● Make regular updates: The physical requirements in job descriptions can evolve. Review and update your job descriptions every 12 months to determine if the physical job demands have changed and to reflect equipment, processes, or workflow changes.
Accurate and up-to-date physical job descriptions ensure regulatory compliance and allow you to invest in a safer, more efficient work environment. This comprehensive approach translates to reduced workers’ compensation costs, a healthier workforce, and a smoother return-to-work process for injured employees.
Streamline Your Return-to-Work Process
At McClure Ergonomics, we understand the importance of both workplace safety and a smooth return-to-work process. Our comprehensive services include ergonomics assessments, return-to-work program development, and job analysis. Let us help you create an accurate and compliant physical job description for each role in your company.
Don’t let workplace injuries derail your team’s success.
Contact us today to discover how our tailored return-to-work, after-injury policy can protect your employees,
boost productivity, and create a smoother path back to work.