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15 Expressions to Avoid on Job Descriptions
- Gender-based nouns and pronouns. “The man who fills this job will…” “Journeyman’s duties include…” or “She will be required to…”
- Language preferences. “English speakers only.”
- Safety and health violations. “Required to navigate obstructed passageways on work sites with falling or flying objects.”
- Geographical references. “Local residents only” or “must reside within 20 miles of plant.”
- Strength, fitness or physical condition. “Must be able to lift 25 pounds,” “strong and fit” or “able-bodied.”
- Free speech issues. “Pro-life supporters” or “conservative thinkers”
- Exaggerations. “Administrative Assistant to manage file integrity, document assembly and sortation issues” instead of “file clerk.”
- False promises. “Annual pay increases guaranteed” or “employee stock purchase plan.”
- Defeating at-will employment. “Permanent position,” “Full-time permanent staff” or “Five-year project.”
- Personal or family privacy. “Should uphold moral values, should condemn abortion, pre-marital sex, and contraception (except in medically necessary situations).”
- Sexual orientation. “Oriented toward conventional relationships.”
- Marital and parental status. “Family man who can…” or “stable married man or woman capable of keeping watch over…”
- Religious allegiance. “Christian workers who can” or “Faith-oriented members of the…”
- Labor standards. “On-call status required for 24-hour periods” or “Employees not permitted to take on other work or activities while on call outside the plant.”
- Political preferences. “Liberal-minded Democrats to…”
