What is Job Relatedness?
Job relatedness generally refers to the extent to which a particular requirement is related to the skills, knowledge, and abilities needed to perform the job. In other words, job relatedness is the degree to which a requirement is necessary for the successful performance of a job.
There are a number of factors that can affect job relatedness, including the type of job, the specific duties of the job, the working environment, and the level of experience and education required for the job.
Implications of Job Relatedness
Job relatedness is often used as a criterion for determining whether a requirement is lawful under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. In order to be considered job related, a requirement must be necessary for the successful performance of the job and must not unnecessarily restrict the pool of qualified applicants.
The concept of job relatedness is also relevant to other employment laws, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA).
Examples of job relatedness
Some examples of job relatedness include:
- A requirement that an applicant have a certain level of education in order to be considered for a job
- A requirement that an applicant have a certain amount of experience in order to be considered for a job
- A requirement that an applicant pass a physical examination in order to be considered for a job
- A requirement that an applicant take a drug test in order to be considered for a job
