What Is Job Restructuring?

Job restructuring occurs when your employer changes the nature and functions of your position. This can include horizontal restructuring, meaning that your current job requirements are modified to include some new tasks performed in other jobs on the same level. Vertical restructuring is the term used when your position takes on responsibilities and tasks previously performed at higher levels.

Company Reorganization

A job restructuring may be part of a broader company reorganization. In this case a company may lay off a number of workers, shut down departments, eliminate certain activities and processes or shift the nature of work within the organization. In these circumstances your job restructuring may result from changes in the department in which your position functions, or the addition of more vertical responsibilities associated from reduction in layers of management or workers.

Reasonable Accommodation

A common reason companies restructure jobs is to meet their requirements to make reasonable accommodations for disabled workers. If a certain job requires lots of movement around the office, for instance, the company can restructure a position for someone with a physical disability that inhibits effective mobility. The job might then entail more phone and electronic communication or other duties the worker can perform from his desk area. Typically, reasonable accommodations include marginal or less critical job functions, as opposed to a major overhaul of a position.

Employee Satisfaction

In some cases, employers restructure jobs simply for the benefit of the employee. An employee who is unmotivated because of routine, repetitive work may be allowed to take on other tasks previously performed by other positions. Some companies allow employees to have a position that balances a certain amount of time in a number of departments. For instance, a company may allow a worker to spend 30 hours a week in an operations or human resources position and other 10 hours participating on a diversity council or volunteer committee.

Pros and Cons

The primary benefits of restructuring include meeting employee employment opportunity requirements for reasonable accommodation, strategic alignment with company reorganization and improved employee satisfaction. Companies can essentially redesign jobs to bring them up to par with the current work of the business. Drawbacks include the costs, potential tension with other employees and time spent adjusting job descriptions. Additionally, you may run into trouble with overlap in positions and uncertainty over responsibilities for certain tasks.