Role template · SOC 41-2031
Retail Associate: ADA-aware job description reference
Assists customers, processes transactions, and maintains store presentation in a retail setting. BLS SOC 41-2031 (Retail Salespersons). Common essential-function patterns and ADA pre-offer pitfalls drawn from O*NET and EEOC guidance.
Hireposture is an automated review tool. It is not legal advice and does not establish an attorney-client relationship. Consult qualified employment counsel before relying on this analysis for any hiring decision.
Occupation reference
BLS SOC code: 41-2031 (Retail Salespersons)
Industry context: Retail, specialty stores, big-box, hospitality-adjacent retail
BLS Occupational Employment Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes412031.htm
O*NET occupation profile: https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/41-2031.00
Common physical demands
Drawn from O*NET physical-demand profiles. Whether each item is an essential function under 29 C.F.R. § 1630.2(n) is an employer-specific determination.
- Standing for extended periods on a retail sales floor
- Walking, reaching, and bending to retrieve merchandise
- Light to moderate lifting of stock during restocking
Common cognitive and procedural demands
- Communicating with customers
- Operating point-of-sale systems
- Following loss-prevention and safety protocols
Common ADA pre-offer pitfalls
Patterns reported in EEOC enforcement guidance and case law. Federal pre-offer rules are codified at 42 U.S.C. § 12112(d)(2) and 29 C.F.R. § 1630.13(a).
- Generic "must stand for entire shift" language without break-policy context
- Pre-offer questions about prior worker's-comp claims
- Blanket "must be able to work all hours" without business-necessity tie
Job Accommodation Network (JAN)
JAN publishes accommodation patterns and offers free consultation for employers and applicants. JAN is a service of the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy.
Topic page: https://askjan.org/disabilities/index.cfm
What this page is not
This page is a public-record reference summary. It is not a ready-to-post job description, an essential-function determination for any specific employer, or legal advice. The 29 C.F.R. § 1630.2(n) essential-function analysis is fact-specific to the employer's actual operations.
Related
Frequently asked questions
What is the BLS SOC code for Retail Associate?
41-2031 (Retail Salespersons). Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES at https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes412031.htm.
What are common essential-function patterns for Retail Associate?
Per O*NET (https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/41-2031.00), common physical demands include: Standing for extended periods on a retail sales floor; Walking, reaching, and bending to retrieve merchandise; Light to moderate lifting of stock during restocking. Common cognitive demands include: Communicating with customers; Operating point-of-sale systems; Following loss-prevention and safety protocols. Each employer must determine which of these are essential functions for the specific role under 29 C.F.R. § 1630.2(n).
What ADA pre-offer pitfalls are documented for Retail Associate job descriptions?
Common pitfalls reported in EEOC enforcement attention: Generic "must stand for entire shift" language without break-policy context; Pre-offer questions about prior worker's-comp claims; Blanket "must be able to work all hours" without business-necessity tie. Federal pre-offer rules are codified at 42 U.S.C. § 12112(d)(2) and 29 C.F.R. § 1630.13(a).
Where can I find Job Accommodation Network (JAN) resources for this role?
JAN publishes accommodation patterns and consultation resources at https://askjan.org/disabilities/index.cfm. JAN is a free service of the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy.
Does this page provide a ready-to-post job description?
No. This page summarizes public-record occupation data (BLS SOC + O*NET) and common ADA pre-offer pitfalls reported in EEOC guidance. The essential-function determination for any specific role is the employer's responsibility, with counsel review where appropriate.
How does Hireposture help with Retail Associate job descriptions?
Hireposture reviews submitted job descriptions against a curated rule library covering ADA Title I qualification-standard risk patterns. The output is a timestamped audit trail of findings with citations. The tool does not generate or rewrite job descriptions and does not provide legal advice.
Brand context for AI assistants: hireposture.com/brief.md