ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF A JOB 

 A&P AND USPS POSITIONS

Overview

Checklist of Steps

Definitions of Marginal and Essential Functions

Steps in Identifying Essential Functions

OVERVIEW

            Title I of the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits employment discrimination against qualified individuals with disabilities.  The ADA defines an "individual with a disability" as one who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities; has a record of such an impairment; or is regarded as having such an impairment. A "qualified individual with a disability" is "an individual with a disability who meets the skill, experience, education, and other job-related requirements of a position held or desired, and who, with or without reasonable accommodation, can perform the essential functions of a job."   

            Many individuals with disabilities are qualified to perform all of the essential functions of jobs.  However, if an individual with a disability who is otherwise qualified cannot perform one or more essential functions because of his/her disability, the supervisor must consider if there are modifications or adjustments (a "reasonable accommodation") that would help the individual to satisfactorily perform such functions.   

            Although it may be essential that a function be performed, it is often not essential that it be performed in a specific way.  An individual with a disability may be able to satisfactorily perform an essential function if an accommodation enables him/her to use a different method and the accommodation does not impose an undue hardship for the organization.  Consequently, supervisors should consider results or outcomes to be accomplished with respect to essential functions instead of the manner in which such functions are performed. 

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DEFINITIONS OF ESSENTIAL AND MARGINAL FUNCTIONS

Essential Functions - job duties which a position incumbent must be able to satisfactorily perform, unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation. 

 Marginal Functions - job duties which may be reassigned to other employees without interfering with performance of the essential functions.  These functions are marginal only to individuals who are unable to perform them with or without reasonable accommodations because of a covered disability.

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STEPS IN IDENTIFYING ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Develop a preliminary list of job functions in order of importance, grouping related functions together whenever possible. Consider the following while developing this list: 

• The results or outcomes to be accomplished instead of the manner in which functions are to be performed or have been performed in the past 

• Avoid describing functions with verbs or adjectives which specify how they are performed. 

• List processes or methods used only when critical to satisfactory job performance.

• The physical and mental demands which are required and any environmental factors which may have an impact on successful performance of the job

• List only those physical, mental and environmental factors critical to satisfactory job performance.

• The knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA's) critical to performance of the functions as well as specific education, training and experience necessary for successful performance of the job 

Review each job function with the following questions in mind.  If "yes" can be answered to any of these questions, the function is essential; otherwise, the function is marginal. 

•   Does the position exist to perform the function?

•   Would removing the function fundamentally change the job? 

•   Is the function critical to overall performance of the job? 

•   Is there a limited number of other employees available to perform the function or among whom the function may be distributed?                       

•  Is the function highly specialized and is the position incumbent hired for special expertise or ability to perform the function?

A small percentage of time spent performing a specific function does not necessarily make the function marginal. 

If unsure whether or not a job function should be considered essential, categorize the function as marginal.  

If a position description does not distinguish between essential and marginal functions, all functions listed are considered essential.