9.21 DEFINITION: ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS is an employment term used to describe the specific job duties and responsibilities that are essential to the position and must be performed by the employee in order to meet the goals and objectives of the organization. Essential functions may include physical tasks, mental tasks, or a combination of both. Types of essential functions can include basic duties, primary duties, and specialized duties. Basic duties are the fundamental job tasks required for all employees, while primary duties are those specific to the job title. Specialized duties are those specific to certain job titles or roles within the organization.