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Investigating Job RolesUnit 3: People in Business

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Learning objectives

How are different businesses structured?

What is a job description?

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Job roles

Each individual in a business will have a different job role.A job description is a document describing ajob role.Different levels of job roles in a business are shown on an organization chart.

For a business to be successful, everyone who works in that business must know what they and others should be doing.

What specific job roles and levels oforganization exist at your school?

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Organizational structure

Businesses are organized into different areas. The internal structure of a business can be shown using an organization chart. This diagram shows how the different job roles and levels of responsibility fit together within each functional area.

Businesses and organizations usually have one of two types of structure:

hierarchical

flat.

Hierarchical structures have many levels of responsibility and tend to be found in large businesses. Small businesses are more likely to have flat structures with fewer levels.

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Key job levels

Businesses organize themselves to achieve their specific aims and objectives, which means that no two businesses will share the same structure. However, in all medium-to-large businesses, there will usually be four key job levels.

Owner/Director(s)

Managers

Supervisors

Operatives and Support staff

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Differences between job roles

There are a number of differences between key job levels ina business. The roles of staff in managerial, supervisory, operative and support roles will vary in terms of:

their key responsibilities

their tasks or activities – what the job entails

their job security

decisions to make and problems to solve

the skills, qualifications and personal qualities they require

the related pay and benefits.

Think about the job roles of a supermarket manager and a checkout assistant. How do you think they are likely

to differ in terms of each of these things?

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What is a job description?

Businesses often set out the activities and duties of their employees using job descriptions. A job description is a document that summarizes the key tasks the job holder will be expected to perform and the responsibilities they will have.

Job title: Theme park cleanerDepartment: Housekeeping and Maintenance Hours of work: 35 hours per week Duties & responsibilities: Work as part of the park cleaning team to ensure that litter is collected and that the outside areas of the park remain clean and tidy at all times.

Many organizations have job descriptions for every job within the business, from the managing director to the cleaner.

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Case study: Thorpe Park

Imagine you are the Human Resources Manager at Thorpe Park. During the busy summer months you need to recruit temporary staff to help out at the park.

Ride technicianFood and beverage team leaderCustomer assistantTheme park gardener.

Select one of these job roles and write a job description for it: