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You'll find out more in the next issue.

"An Ounce of Prevention..." The Importance of Accurate Written Job Descriptions

In a previous article, we stressed the importance of having an up to date accurate employee handbook. We also pointed out that legally it is always better to have a handbook than not to have one. The same holds true in the value of having accurate current written job descriptions. More lawsuits are lost because of the lack of the two essential tools than when companies have them as evidence.

A job description is a written document that describes the purpose, duties, responsibilities, tasks, and relationships of a particular job. Without a job description, it is impossible to hold a person accountable for performing the duties of their position. The primary purpose of a job description is to identify the essential functions of the position. According to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), essential functions are those tasks or functions of a particular position that are fundamental to the position. Knowing the essential functions of the job will aid in the following:

• Assuring compliance with legal requirements related to equal opportunity, equal pay, overtime eligibility, etc.
• Establishing a basis for recruitment, selection, and hiring
• Writing appropriate interview questions
• Determining whether a person is qualified to perform the essential functions
• Identifying reasonable accommodations to enable a disabled person to perform the essential functions
• Evaluating work distribution and departmental organization
• Analyzing jobs to determine appropriate pay ranges and classifications
• Training employees
• Assisting incumbents in understanding their job better
• Allowing clear and accurate performance reviews
• Counseling employees on career opportunities and their vocational interests

While every position changes over time, the description should be written in terms of the position itself, not capabilities of any individual.

Job descriptions are summaries. The baseline objective is to provide enough information in the right format and language to be accurate, clear and useful to the employer.

Charles Little, SPHR

President/CEO

Strategic HR Partners

We would like to express our deepest appreciation to all of our members for their support of the Chamber and especially, to our Enhanced Investors, some of whom are included below:

Continuous Sponsors

Aflac; Bassett & Becker; Clear Channel Broadcasting; Columbus Bank and Trust Company/Synovus; Columbus Regional Healthcare System, Inc.; Georgia Power Company; NCR Corporation; PMB Broadcasting, LLC; St. Francis Hospital Inc.; TSYS; W.C. Bradley Company 

Bronze Sponsors:

AT&T GA; Ben Carter Companies, LLC; Boral Bricks; Clark Realty Capital, LLC; Columbus State University; Flournoy Development Company; Humana Inc.; IBM, Inc.; Jay Automotive Group, Inc.; The Jordan Company; Jordan, Jones & Goulding; Kellogg's Snacks; Kodak; KPMG LLP; Lance Private Brands; McCarthy Building Companies; MeadWestvaco Mahrt Operations; Precision Components International, Inc.; Robins & Morton; Stanley, Beaman & Sears, Inc.; Strayer University; TIC Federal Credit Union; Warr Grading Contractor, Inc.

As a not-for-profit organization, the Chamber provides the ideal venue for public-private partnerships to maintain a pro-business region. While we appreciate all of our members, many business leaders recognize the value of investing more than their membership fees in the Chamber's mission to benefit the region. The Chamber's Enhanced Investor levels include Continuous, Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze and Copper Sponsors.

Our enhanced investors receive Chamber benefits in accordance with the different levels of investments. We would like to have the opportunity to meet with you and discuss the benefits of becoming an enhanced investor or increasing the sponsor level of your current investment. Please contact Ashley Winkler at  706-596-7010 or awinkler@columbusgachamber.com.

Between March and May of 2011, Bowen National Research, a national real estate research firm, conducted a survey of over 1,400 rental housing properties throughout the state of Georgia. Of the 159 counties in the state, they were able to identify and survey rental product in 144 counties.

Click here to read their results.

"Muscogee County's unemployment rate has not been this low, 8.8%, since April 2010, reaching as high as 10.2% in January 2010. What great encouragement to the Economic Development focus of our chamber and community!"

Click here to see the numbers.

On the state level your Governmental Affairs Department followed 17 different issues supporting 16 issues as good for businesses and apposed another bill as bad for businesses. Two of the business issues supported by the Chamber were signed into law by the Governor.

Your Chamber's Governmental Affairs Department is focused on issues impacting business on behalf of all Chamber Members. A consolidated voice is stronger than individual voice.

Click here to read their results.  

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Plans are well underway for the 2011 Inter-City Leadership Conference to be held in Charlotte, NC, Sept. 28 -30, 2011. The city's brand: "Charlotte's got a lot" couldn't be more accurate. Our chamber, along with approximately 90 members of our community, will be visiting this city to look at best practices in a wide variety of areas. One in particular will be their white water venue.

US National White Water Center, Charlotte, NC

The US National White Water Center in Charlotte is much more than a tourist attraction; it's a place where serious kayakers train for competitions such as the Olympics. But it does attract its share of visitors who just want a chance at learning to kayak, raft riding or taking the plunge on the Mega Zip which is just a quick 1,123 foot zip-line from the top of the 46 foot Mega Tower and flying over sections of whitewater rapids! This particular item is only one of many that we will be discovering in Charlotte. Visit this link to sign up today! If you would like more information, please contact bgordon@columbusgachamber.com or 706-257-1186.