Modern electronics have eliminated the need for a store’s cashiers to calculate change due

on a purchase. How does this development modify the job description for a cashier? If you
were a store manager, how would it affect the skills and qualities of job candidates you
would want to hire? Does this change in mental processing requirements affect what you
would expect from a cashier? How?

Answer
The job description would change to show the necessity for the cashier to possess education, skills,
and abilities connected with technological equipment such as the operation of an electronic cash
register. A manager would want to hire individuals with these skills and abilities or the readiness
to learn them. The expectations would not change, as the job must still be completed effectively
and efficiently. One way organizations can motivate employees to promote safety and health in
the workplace is by redesigning the jobs that are available.

A cashier’s responsibility is to take orders from customers, address customer queries,

prepare bill for customer order, collect payment from customers and return the change
to the customer, if any.

Job description is based on skills and qualities required to perform a particular job. Job
descriptions give the list of activities, duties, responsibilities of that job. Before
electronics were introduced, ability to calculate faster mentally would have been part
of job description. After the introduction of electronics, ability to calculate mentally is
no longer relevant. Instead, ability to handle the electronic billing system has to be
included in the job description.

Yes, the change in mental processing requirements affect what is expected from a
cashier. Earlier, before the electronics, a cashier is expected to be very quick at the
mental calculations. After the introduction of electronics, a cashier is expected to be
quick and efficient in handling the electronic billing system.