The Work Bench

Obtain and examine all relevant information to assess validity of complaints and to determine possible causes, such as extreme weather conditions that could increase utility bills. Typical length 25 minutes; 352,489,560 desk hours a year across the US.

Review insurance policy terms to determine whether a particular loss is covered by insurance. Typical length 17 minutes; 316,336,784 desk hours a year across the US.

Recommend improvements in products, packaging, shipping, service, or billing methods and procedures to prevent future problems. Typical length 33 minutes; 119,299,839 desk hours a year across the US.

Compute, record, and proofread data and other information, such as records or reports. Typical length 38 minutes; 308,701,198 desk hours a year across the US.

Type, format, proofread, and edit correspondence and other documents, from notes or dictating machines, using computers or typewriters. Typical length 25 minutes; 293,986,492 desk hours a year across the US.

Review files, records, and other documents to obtain information to respond to requests. Typical length 17 minutes; 122,152,567 desk hours a year across the US.

Maintain knowledge of current sales and promotions, policies regarding payment and exchanges, and security practices. Typical length 25 minutes; 472,305,255 desk hours a year across the US.

Determine proper storage methods, identification, and stock location, based on turnover, environmental factors, and physical capabilities of facilities. Typical length 29 minutes; 210,073,736 desk hours a year across the US.

Recommend disposal of excess, defective, or obsolete stock. Typical length 25 minutes; 129,115,185 desk hours a year across the US.

Use computers for various applications, such as database management or word processing. Typical length 38 minutes; 170,459,165 desk hours a year across the US.

Compose, type, and distribute meeting notes, routine correspondence, or reports, such as presentations or expense, statistical, or monthly reports. Typical length 50 minutes; 122,266,243 desk hours a year across the US.

Order, interpret, and evaluate diagnostic tests to identify and assess patient's condition. Typical length 38 minutes; 140,982,992 desk hours a year across the US.

Modify patient treatment plans as indicated by patients' responses and conditions. Typical length 25 minutes; 128,582,394 desk hours a year across the US.

Write reports of daily activities and irregularities, such as equipment or property damage, theft, presence of unauthorized persons, or unusual occurrences. Typical length 25 minutes; 242,748,328 desk hours a year across the US.

Monitor market conditions, innovations, and competitors' services, prices, and sales. Typical length 50 minutes; 191,391,809 desk hours a year across the US.

Operate office equipment, such as voice mail messaging systems, and use word processing, spreadsheet, or other software applications to prepare reports, invoices, financial statements, letters, case histories, or medical records. Typical length 25 minutes; 150,105,167 desk hours a year across the US.

Compare computer printouts to manually maintained journals to determine if they match. Typical length 38 minutes; 146,634,296 desk hours a year across the US.

Perform administrative support tasks, such as proofreading, transcribing handwritten information, or operating calculators or computers to work with pay records, invoices, balance sheets, or other documents. Typical length 25 minutes; 141,003,629 desk hours a year across the US.

Read work orders or receive oral instructions to determine work assignments or material or equipment needs. Typical length 7 minutes; 139,024,274 desk hours a year across the US.

Specify food portions and courses, production and time sequences, and workstation and equipment arrangements. Typical length 50 minutes; 122,942,470 desk hours a year across the US.