The “miscellaneous” part of your Job Description might matter more than you think.
This article is part of our Life at Work Series — where we explore the practices, challenges, and lessons that shape our professional lives.
Two Kinds of Employees
When it comes to the miscellaneous category in a Job Description, there are two kinds of Employees.
Employee type #1
Why is there a Miscellaneous category in my job description?
That makes me uncomfortable.
I’d like to know exactly what this job entails and how I will be measured.
Employee type #2
Thanks for the Miscellaneous category.
That means I can make this job my own. And I have a chance to shape my contribution.
Whether that’s through the job I took or by ‘running to trouble’ to solve organizational problems as they come up.
Employer Intention Matters
It’s easy to guess that Employee type #2 would be preferred over Employee type #1 for hiring.
But Employer intention matters.
If the Miscellaneous category is added because the job description writer is unclear on what the job entails, that’s an Employer problem to fix.
Find out what the job entails and correct the job description.
If the category is added because the Employer expects the Employee to do anything that is asked of them, that’s not only unclear — it’s unfair.
Positive Employer Intention
What if, when you walked a new Employee through the job description, you said –
“Here you’ll see a Miscellaneous category on the job description. Let me explain that a bit.
The world is changing very fast, and we value folks who adapt, grow, and flourish. We’re all in this boat together.
Even more, we think you should have a voice in what your job becomes.
We’ve given you the Job Purpose and we’ve listed out the key Roles & Responsibilities.
We’ve also shared who you report to, both directly and indirectly.
But we find that our most successful Team Members bring their own perspectives and talents to the job.
So in closing, we think the Miscellaneous category is one of the most important ones on the Job Description — and we hope you find that to be true too.”
In Closing
When your Job Description is written with good intention and clarity, the Miscellaneous category might be one of the best ways to allow your Employee to grow and contribute.
Especially when you explain it clearly and provide opportunities for them to grow — both within and outside the job scope.
Thank You for Reading
I regularly share stories, strategies, and insights from our work across Contact Centers, Customer Service, and Customer Experience. If this resonates, I’d love to stay connected.
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Daniel Ord
[email protected]
www.omnitouchinternational.com
