Essential Function of the Job: All employees must be able to perform what?

Essential Function of the Job: All employees must be able to perform what?

• A. All job duties
• B. The essential function of the job
• C. Only tasks assigned by supervisor
• D. Any function that is not essential

Answer: (B)

Essential functions are the fundamental duties that define why a job exists. The job’s purpose hinges on these core tasks, and anyone filling the position must be able to perform them (with any reasonable accommodations allowed by law). Nonessential tasks can be assigned to others, rotated, or removed without changing the job’s essential nature, which is why the statement that all employees must be able to perform the essential function of the job is the best fit. Saying employees must perform all duties, only supervisor-assigned tasks, or any nonessential function goes beyond what defines the role and overlooks how accommodations and task prioritization work in practice.

Essential functions are the fundamental duties that define why a job exists. The job’s purpose hinges on these core tasks, and anyone filling the position must be able to perform them (with any reasonable accommodations allowed by law). Nonessential tasks can be assigned to others, rotated, or removed without changing the job’s essential nature, which is why the statement that all employees must be able to perform the essential function of the job is the best fit. Saying employees must perform all duties, only supervisor-assigned tasks, or any nonessential function goes beyond what defines the role and overlooks how accommodations and task prioritization work in practice.