What Driving Etiquette Can Teach Us About Job Descriptions and Duties in the Workplace
Estimated Reading Time: 6 minutes
Have you ever called someone an “@ssh0le” on the road after they cut you off? That flash of anger? It stems from a broken social contract—a shared understanding that we all have rights and responsibilities when driving. The same principle applies to the workplace, particularly with job descriptions and duties. When these are ignored or misunderstood, chaos and resentment follow.
As HR leaders face a chaotic hiring landscape, it’s time to reframe how we view job descriptions—not as bureaucratic checklists, but as the core expression of the social contract between employer and employee.
The Social Contract: Road vs. Workplace
On the road, you follow written and unwritten rules—like signaling before a turn or yielding when appropriate. These behaviors create mutual trust and ensure smooth flow.
In the workplace, job descriptions form the basis of the professional social contract. They lay out what’s expected of each party. But like driving, success also depends on unwritten expectations like respect, attitude, and effort.
When either side ignores these responsibilities, friction builds. Unclear roles, mismatched hires, and job-hopping behaviors all reflect a breakdown in this mutual understanding.
Clear Expectations: The Foundation of Accountability
Well-written job descriptions use a simple, action-oriented format:
[Verb] to [result] by [means].
Examples include:
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Organize and maintain the HR database by categorizing and indexing employee records to ensure quick access.
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Direct the finance team to achieve quarterly targets by aligning budgeting and reporting tasks.
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Develop client relationships to boost annual revenue by 15% through prospecting and presentations.
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Analyze organizational data to deliver actionable insights to leadership.
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Facilitate onboarding to fully integrate new hires within their first 30 days.
These explicit duties guide performance and accountability. But just as no one writes “don’t honk at every intersection” in the driver’s manual, workplace success also relies on implicit expectations.
The Unwritten Duties That Shape Culture
While job descriptions define the what, culture defines the how. The best employees go beyond the written word. Here are three essential, often unwritten workplace duties:
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Maintain a positive attitude: Energy is contagious. Optimism boosts morale and strengthens teams.
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Respect colleagues: Treat others with dignity. It builds trust, fosters collaboration, and smooths conflict.
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Seek improvements: Continuously evaluate and enhance how work gets done. Innovation doesn’t wait for permission.
These behaviors are as crucial as formal responsibilities. When ignored, the workplace becomes as tense and unpredictable as a lawless intersection.
Rights and Duties in the Hiring Process
Just as every driver must know the rules before entering traffic, job seekers should understand what’s expected before applying. But that’s not always the case. You Can’t Ignore Pay Transparency! How To Start Addressing It Now
The Problem: Blind Applications and Misalignment
Some candidates apply without reading job descriptions. Others fire off dozens of applications with little regard for role fit. This is the employment version of swerving across three lanes without signaling.
Impact on employers:
A Better Approach to Job Descriptions and Hiring
To restore balance in today’s hiring chaos:
For Employers
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Write job descriptions that are specific and meaningful. Use outcome-based language.
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Avoid jargon. Clarity attracts qualified candidates.
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Reinforce unwritten expectations during onboarding and reviews.
For Candidates
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Self-assess before applying. If you don’t meet most requirements, don’t apply.
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Customize your resume. Tailor it to demonstrate how you’ll fulfill the job’s duties.
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Treat the hiring process with the same respect you expect from the employer.
Key Takeaways
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Job descriptions are central to the employer-employee social contract.
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Clear expectations and mutual respect prevent workplace friction.
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Candidates should only apply for roles where they can fulfill the outlined duties.
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Unwritten expectations like attitude, respect, and initiative are as vital as formal duties.
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HR leaders should revisit how they communicate expectations at every stage of employment.
HBR: What Job Descriptions Should Look Like Now