Mastering Job Descriptions: Legal and Practical Insights for HR Pros

Job descriptions often languish in forgotten corners of shared drives until they're urgently needed—whether for a new hire, addressing a work-related injury, or defending against a lawsuit. Yet, well-crafted job descriptions are vital, clearly outlining duties and expectations, and supporting robust job evaluations in recruitment, promotion, discipline, and leave management.
Unfortunately, many companies neglect this crucial task, leaving job descriptions outdated and misaligned with actual job requirements. This training course offers practical guidance on developing legally compliant job descriptions that serve your organization in critical areas: recruiting and hiring, onboarding, performance management, leave management, and legal claims. By investing in this process, you'll ensure that your job descriptions not only reflect current realities but also bolster your organization's operational effectiveness and legal defensibility.

• Legal considerations for job descriptions that every employer should know
• Roadmap and best practices for developing job descriptions
• Key components of a well-crafted job description
• Differentiating job analysis from job descriptions and job postings—why understanding these differences matters 
• Practical uses of job descriptions: recruiting, hiring, onboarding, performance management, promotions, compensation, and leaves management

• HR Directors
• HR Managers
• Recruitment Specialists
• Talent Acquisition Managers
• Employee Engagement Coordinators
• Training and Development Managers
• HR Analysts
• HR Business Partners
• Onboarding Specialists
• Policy Development Officers

Melveen Stevenson is the CEO and founder of M.S. Elemental, LLC, a human resources and business advisory firm. As a certified HR professional with a background in accounting and finance, she helps companies to navigate the human resources “jungle” of compliance, human capital, and leadership challenges. In doing so, she empowers companies to strengthen their infrastructure from the inside out, specifically through leadership development, operations, training, employee engagement, and executive coaching.

Melveen speaks on key topics to empower companies with the latest research and best practices for increasing engagement, enhancing leadership presence, and optimizing diverse workforce groups.

Over the last 20 years, Melveen has held leadership positions in human resources operations, supply chain, and talent management at international companies in food manufacturing, medical devices, and consumer products. She has spent most of her career in California, and has expertise in the state’s complicated employment regulations.

Melveen is certified through the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM-SCP) and the Human Resources Certification Institute (SPHR).  She is also a faculty member at California State University-Dominguez Hills.