Job descriptions are an important tool for laying out exactly what’s expected of employees. But when they’re not written carefully, they can also unfairly exclude applicants with disabilities.
Most of the problematic phrases refer to bodily positions or physical actions that a disabled person may not be able to perform — even if they can still do the job effectively.
Here are some of the most common phrases that should be avoided, and a safer alternative:
- “stand” or “sit” — use “remain stationary” instead
- “walk” — say “move”
- “climb” — replace with “ascend and descend”
- “talk” or “hear” — just say “communicate”
- “stoop” or “kneel” — say “position self to … “
Another key to non-discriminatory job descriptions: Omit physical demands that aren’t essential to job performance.
