How Do You Write Duties As Assigned Effectively?

“How should you express the concept of ‘other duties as assigned’? This phrase, often used in job descriptions, specifies that employees may be required to perform tasks beyond their standard responsibilities. For example, in a marketing job, you might encounter a clause like ‘Other duties as assigned by the marketing department,’ while in an administrative position, it could be ‘Miscellaneous clerical duties.’ Employing such language in job descriptions can prevent potential misunderstandings or disputes in the future. It’s crucial to distribute these ‘other duties’ equitably among your team to ensure fairness and transparency in task allocation.” [Published: March 7, 2018]

How should one go about composing a comprehensive list of duties and responsibilities for a job position? To effectively convey the expectations of the role, it is essential to utilize action-oriented language and maintain a consistent present tense throughout the description. Furthermore, the job description should encompass a thorough breakdown of the job’s various facets. This includes specifying the colleagues or teams the employee will collaborate with, delineating the requisite skills and qualifications, and identifying the specific software programs or tools that will be integral to performing the job. By incorporating these details, employers can minimize the potential for role conflicts among their employees and ensure a clear and harmonious working environment.

“What does ‘duties as assigned’ mean? This phrase, as clarified by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM), pertains to minor or incidental tasks that are directly relevant to the job description, rather than encompassing any arbitrary assignments conjured by a manager. In some unfortunate cases, it may even be misused as a means to penalize employees.”