JOB CLASSIFICATION: Definition, Importance & Examples

job classification
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Table of Contents Hide
  1. What Is Job Classification?
  2. What Is the Process of Job Classification?
  3. What Are the Effects of Job Classification?
  4. Job Classification Kinds
    1. #1. Broadband
    2. #2. The Korn Ferry Hay System
    3. Examples of Job Classification
  5. What Is the Purpose of Job Classification?
  6. Importance of Job Classification
  7. Job Classification and Compensation
  8. Job Evaluation Roles
    1. #1. Positions of Leadership
    2. #2. Professional Responsibilities
    3. #3. Roles in Operations
  9. Stages of Job Evaluation
  10. The Pros of Job Classification
    1. #1. Helps Managers Discover Hidden Talent
    2. #2. Helps Employees Discover One‘s Objectives
    3. #3. Identifies Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes
    4. #4. Motivates Employees to Deal With New Challenges
    5. #5. Increases Employee Satisfaction and Reduces Attrition
    6. #6. Assists in Aligning Competencies With Requirements
    7. #7. Streamlined Workflow
    8. #8. Salary Increase
    9. #9. Employer’s Standards
    10. #10. Employee’s Understanding
  11. The Cons of Job Classification
    1. #1. The List of Various Class Levels
    2. #2. There Is Also a Problem With the Judgment Required for the Implementation
    3. #3. Data Pools Are Small Because They Only Apply to the Company That Created Them
    4. #4. Consistent Re-evaluation
    5. #5. Subjective Classifications
    6. #6. Less Room for Advancement
  12. Why Do We Have a Job Classification System and What Purpose Does It Serve?
  13. In General, How Does the Willis Position Evaluation System Work?
  14. How Do I Know if I Should Complete a Request for Review?
  15. What Results From Job Classification?
  16. How Are Job Classifications Determined?
  17. What Are the Classification of Jobs?
  18. What are Classification Standards?
  19. Conclusion 
  20. Job Classification FAQs
  21. Is job title a classification?
  22. What is classification level?
  23. How do you determine job classification?
  24. Related Articles

Job classification helps with class leveling, which makes it easy to distribute positions to employees. This article talks about the importance and examples of job classification, its method (how to classify them), and compensation.

What Is Job Classification?

Job classification is the act of sharing duties or responsibilities of positions with employees without them having much knowledge or no knowledge of the work. It is also a system of evaluating duties or positions, especially within a company. It is known as job evaluation.

Job classification is a process of sharing or distributing employees into new positions or levels in their place of work. Job classification mostly takes place in large organizations.

What Is the Process of Job Classification?

Job classifications aid in determining the requirements and standards for jobs. The improvement in management is determined by the directors to place each position in a pay range with other jobs with similar responsibilities. Some organizations have different approaches to job classification. Here are several examples: 

  • Job Purpose
  • Job Family
  • Position

What Are the Effects of Job Classification?

This result indicates whether your job grouping is having a positive or negative effect on your company. Implementing job classification in the workplace results in an organized organization chart and set salary ranges that are understandable to all employees. It aids in checking;

It usually leads to a certain level of reliability in salary and promotions. Consistency throughout the company may aid employees in understanding their roles within the frame of reference of their company. If the applicant seeks a promotion, this may provide a clear path for advancement.

Another benefit of job classification is a more integral member that reduces employee misunderstanding. Employees may know what they are assessed on during employee evaluations if a system is in place because they are aware of their role’s responsibilities. the company has a standard job description, and applicants for a new position know what to expect.

Job Classification Kinds

Depending on your job classification, there are different types. The following are the various job classifications:

#1. Broadband

The work uses a broadband structure to complement salaries into a few broad pay ranges. Companies may use this to bring management positions closer to the rest of the workforce by expanding employees’ ability to move from side to side inside the organization. This means there could be more flexibility within a single salary range but also fewer conflicts among them. Because the company places a comparable value on several positions in the same pay range, this strategy may encourage employees to develop broad skills.

#2. The Korn Ferry Hay System

This system, also known as the Hay system, assigns points to various aspects of the job using a rating system. This generates a score that decides the value of the role using other ranks within the organization. The setting is to decide the pay rate within the organization‘s paying structure.  This system has components namely:

  • The problem-solving component
  • The knowledge component 
  • The accountability component

Examples of Job Classification

  • The army, with ranks such as private, corporal, and general, is part of the examples of the job classification method. A private has fewer responsibilities than a corporal or general, no discretionary budget, and is only good at their job if they follow orders.
  • One example of the job classification method is organizations with workers of different ranks, like managers, HR, e.t.c., and they pay them salaries and wages according to their ranks, e.t.c.
  • One example of the job classification method is the church; the Pope, archbishop, priests, etc.
  • The president, senators, governors, e.t.c., are examples of the job classification method.

What Is the Purpose of Job Classification?

Job classification is beneficial to companies in order to help them grow. The following are the reasons why you require job classification:

  • One of the most pressing needs for job evaluation has been assisting in the hiring and selection process. It can be accomplished by putting the onus on qualification standards to avoid discord and confusion.
  • It is clear that job evaluation is necessary for organizations. The process aids in the development of designed standards for appraisals and performance management.
  • The tendency of the job evaluation process to establish reward standards is an essential component. This is extremely beneficial to a company.
  • Every company has its own mission, vision, and goals, and it is critical to ensure that the company is on the right track. Job evaluation is necessary because it aligns with the company’s goals and vision and then assigns responsibilities that will aid in the implementation of business strategies and plans.
  • Job classification is a process that identifies the paths that employees should follow for an opportunity for professional advancement within a company.

Importance of Job Classification

A job classification can assist in determining what a job does for a company. It is for performance evaluations, job postings, and determining whether or not there is any responsibility overlap between jobs in the company. Here is the importance of job classification. They are:

  • The importance of the job classification method is that it figures out what a specific position does and whether it is beneficial to the company.
  • The method for job classification has the same qualifications or importance as roles in the organization: responsibilities, duties, training interventions, and experience.
  • Job classification is of great importance because it allows a company’s management to manage various employment duties at the same time.
  • Its importance to job classification is that it is an ever-changing procedure that is neither constant nor one-time.
  • New workplace technologies, new management initiatives, and the implementation of new policies all have an impact or importance on the job classification system.

Job Classification and Compensation

The compensation system helps with job classification in some ways. Here are the ways below; 

  • The Classification and Compensation Services establishes and monitors a competitive and equal compensation system, as well as a standardized and reasonable classification that defines the scope and nature of job assignments, provides ongoing updates to classification specifications, and distinguishes between work assignments.
  • The county’s compensation strategy and job classification are based on the Bay Area labor market, with public employers both at the county and city levels, as well as developing private and public sectors for a few select jobs. To verify pay, the method makes use of price discovery and a work-scoring approach.
  • Classification and Compensation Services implements and monitors a competitive and reasonable compensation system, as well as a standardized and equal classification that defines the scope and nature of job assignments, provides ongoing updates to classification specifications, and differentiates between work.
  • The job classification and compensation unit help with new positions; reclassification requests for existing positions, wage and salary information, and organizational design and development. Prior to recruitment, it is critical to seek advice from Compensation Personnel to ensure that the position duties, responsibilities, pay range, and other job attributes are appropriate for the job classification assigned.

Job Evaluation Roles

Every job is assigned a role based on the type of work it performs. It consists of-

#1. Positions of Leadership

Leadership roles in the job evaluation system include leveraging the workforce and resources to complete work. The leader divides the firm’s vision and goals into long-term and short-term plans so that everyone can focus on doing basic requirements.

Leadership jobs entail making strategic decisions and leading the workforce in putting those decisions into action.

#2. Professional Responsibilities

Professional values in the job evaluation provide support in a particular career by emphasizing the application of principles, theories, and concepts. Higher education is to be the medium for acquiring expertise, skills, and advanced knowledge. The roles are as follows:

  • Investigate professional roles.
  • Roles of clinical professionals.
  • Positions in academia or in technical fields.
  • Administrative professional functions.

#3. Roles in Operations

Operational roles in the job evaluation involve assisting with every day activities by focusing on what the work is and how it ought to be. They are as follows:

  • Roles in research operations. 
  • Roles in clinical operations
  • Positions in academic or technical operations.
  • Roles in administrative operations
  • Job evaluation categories and levels

Stages of Job Evaluation

Each job has a level for employees, and tasks become more complex as they progress from stage one to level five. Here are the levels of job evaluation below;

  • There are three levels of job evaluation in operational and technical roles, namely levels 1, 2, and 3.
  • Professional roles have five levels of job evaluation, namely: entry, intermediate, experienced, advanced, and expert.
  • There are six levels of job evaluation in supervisory and managerial roles: supervisors 1 and 2, and managers 1, 2, 3, and 4.

The Pros of Job Classification

Here are some advantages that benefit job classification:

#1. Helps Managers Discover Hidden Talent

It is intended to expose employees to a broader range of operations in order to assist managers in discovering hidden talent. Throughout the process, they are rotated through a variety of assignments in order to become aware of such a company’s real operating look and the problems that arise at each stage. Executives use this process to determine what a particular employee is good at and then assign that employee a task.

#2. Helps Employees Discover One‘s Objectives

Occasionally workers are unaware of the goals to accomplish until they get their hands on a specific job. They can recognize what they’re good at as well as the things they prefer doing because their career is confronted with various activities. They are given the opportunity to explore their interests and untapped potential.

#3. Identifies Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes

It helps organizations in their Skills. It can be used to determine which individuals have to enhance their abilities so as to achieve greater success. This aids in analyzing employees’ training and development needs in order for them to produce more output.

#4. Motivates Employees to Deal With New Challenges

When employees are exposed to new activities and tasks, they strive to do their best while effectively dealing with the challenges that come their way. It motivates them to perform better at each stage and demonstrates that they are not inferior to others. This fosters healthy competition within the organization, with everyone striving to outperform one another.

#5. Increases Employee Satisfaction and Reduces Attrition

Exposing employees to a variety of tasks and functions increase their level of satisfaction. Job variety alleviates boredom from performing the same task every day. Furthermore, it lowers the company’s unemployment levels. Employees develop a sense of belonging to the company and stay with it for a long time.

#6. Assists in Aligning Competencies With Requirements

Aligning competencies with requirements entails directing resources when and where they are of use in the company. It evaluates employees and places them in positions where their skills, competencies, and caliber are full of use.

#7. Streamlined Workflow

By grouping similar jobs into the same job family, an establishment, as well as its personnel, can better understand what tasks to complete each day. It helps companies to share their work in simple ways with the employees so that the company to grow.

#8. Salary Increase

If your employer uses a broadband method, you may receive a pay increase without having to transition to a new position. This helps the employees to put more effort into looking for higher positions in the workplace.

#9. Employer’s Standards

Employers create the classification for each role before hiring someone, so there are standards for them to follow when hiring, which may limit the possibility of wage discrimination because the pay for the job is not favorable.

#10. Employee’s Understanding

Employees may have a better understanding of their specific duties if they have a written job description. This can help the company to grow. the employee can seek a mentor or contact HR for guidance for the job.

The Cons of Job Classification

Everything that has advantages also has disadvantages. There are also drawbacks to job classification. Here’s how they influence it:

#1. The List of Various Class Levels

One of the major disadvantages of job classification is the difficulty in writing various class-level descriptions. Some companies don’t know how to classify their jobs for their employees, thereby making the work difficult for some workers.

#2. There Is Also a Problem With the Judgment Required for the Implementation

In the job classification, reasonably foreseeable components are not to be weighed, which means that more of one factor can be balanced by less of another. Thus, a grade could include one job that requires a high level of skill and another that requires little skill but carries a lot of responsibility.

#3. Data Pools Are Small Because They Only Apply to the Company That Created Them

In this small data source, the organization develops its own job classification system. Employers may, however, keep track of changes to job descriptions and classifications over time in order to standardize the system.

#4. Consistent Re-evaluation

If the organization is expanding, each new job created may necessitate a re-evaluation of all jobs in the industry to ensure that classifications remain fair across the board. This process can bring the company down.

#5. Subjective Classifications

Because people contribute to the classifications, subjectivity can have an impact on the system. A company, on the other hand, may ask employees to help promote new descriptions or hire a third party to create non-biased classifications.

#6. Less Room for Advancement

If your company uses a broadband system, it may take longer to advance to a higher pay level. However, when you want to advance at work, you can get more chances to enhance your abilities, making you more prepared for additional responsibilities.

Why Do We Have a Job Classification System and What Purpose Does It Serve?

The Department of Human Resources in Vermont must implement a “consistent and equitable plan of classification for each position in state service…” utilizing the “point factor” technique of comparison, as mandated by law. The overarching goal of categorization, also known as job evaluation, is to guarantee that equivalent work gets compensated in the same manner across all agency lines. All classified jobs are ranked relative to one another using the same “ruler” (job evaluation). There are a lot of things to think about, including the complexity, demands, and responsibility of each position. Consistency in grading is essential for equity. All classified positions are evaluated by the Department of Human Resources using the Willis Position Evaluation System.

In General, How Does the Willis Position Evaluation System Work?

With the use of the Willis Position Evaluation System, a researcher is able to make accurate comparisons between vastly diverse types of labor. The analyst assigns points to the four primary aspects of a position based on information about the role. There are five main categories, and they are as follows: knowledge and skills, mental demands, accountability, and working conditions. Each of the four factors contributes to the overall score. (It’s crucial to keep in mind that job evaluation does not include factors like workload, performance, longevity, or specialty training.)

How Do I Know if I Should Complete a Request for Review?

This question can be answered in three distinct ways. First, at the yearly performance review, managers should address any significant shifts in the employee’s primary responsibilities and determine if reclassification is necessary. Second, whenever there is a substantial shift in the nature of work to be done, the nature of the supervisory role, or the nature of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to do the job. Finally, a classification review can be called for if the job hasn’t been evaluated in a while.

What Results From Job Classification?

The classification of jobs inside an organization creates a hierarchical structure. It measures the weight of each duty to determine a “power structure” and remuneration plan that is fair for everyone.

A moment’s reflection reveals that this makes a great deal of sense. The duties of a company’s top executive are varied and complex, requiring knowledge, experience, and the ability to make important decisions. A new hire in the warehouse’s stock room will be limited to just stocking shelves. To better establish pay and organizational structure, it is helpful to create a job description that breaks down all tasks into their component parts.

Add in the rest of the staff and their respective titles and responsibilities, and you have an organizational chart that can be used to set up chains of command, career ladders, and compensation scales.

While formal job classifications are more common in large enterprises, they are also occasionally used by smaller and even medium-sized businesses. They can then use this to create a universal salary structure for jobs of a similar nature.

How Are Job Classifications Determined?

The classification analyst decides how a given job should be categorized on the basis of the tasks and responsibilities that make up the majority of the work performed in that role. The only factor that determines a worker’s classification is the tasks they are responsible for performing on the job; not the incumbent’s knowledge, skills, or performance. The merit system ought to provide recognition to individuals based on their performance.

What Are the Classification of Jobs?

A job is categorized according to the present responsibilities and obligations that are associated with the position through a process referred to as job categorization. It is distinct from job design in that the individual who will be performing the work is not taken into consideration at any point. The classification of jobs serves the objective of researching jobs from a more comprehensive perspective.

What are Classification Standards?

Position classification standards are documents that give information that can be used to determine the occupational series and title for occupations within the federal government that involve white collar labor. In addition to this, they offer grading standards for positions that are organized according to the General Schedule (GS) Classification System.

Conclusion 

Job classification divides jobs into grades with specific class descriptions. Usually, the pay scale is taken into account during the job comparison process. The title is assigned after the performance-based compensation procedure is completed and a grade is assigned.

All positions that involve major changes in duties and responsibilities must be submitted to Compensation for job evaluation. Furthermore, the level of job evaluation is assigned based on the roles. It is good to have job evaluations for more advancement opportunities in your organization.

Job Classification FAQs

Is job title a classification?

classification is for new positions, classification, also known as title evaluation, is the process of determining the proper job title of a school Principal within the Career by analyzing the duties and responsibilities of a newly created or existing position.

What is classification level?

If a modern award or enterprise agreement applies to a company, each employee covered by the award or agreement must be classified. You can determine an employee’s rate of compensation and the duties they must complete in their classification level.

How do you determine job classification?

The key is to examine all rules and the entire connection, determine the degree, or extent, of the right to direct and control, and finally, document each of the factors considered in making the judgment.

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