Duties vs. Responsibilities

Main Difference

The main difference between Duties and Responsibilities is that Duties are the actions that must be completed by someone in the stipulated period of time, whereas Responsibilities are the burdens shouldered by someone.

Difference Between Duties and Responsibilities

Comparison Chart

Duties vs. Responsibilities

Duties are the moral commitments that are implied on a person by higher bodies within a restricted period of time. On the other hand, responsibilities are the tasks you accept by yourself, and their fulfillment becomes obligatory to you.

Duties usually do not show their obligatory nature, whereas the obligatory nature of responsibilities is not concealed. Duties are attributed to a person naturally. Conversely, responsibilities are implied at a person by his own choice.

Duties are the tasks one must perform due to his job or position in an organization. In contrast, responsibilities are the demanded-duties inferred due to relations linked to us, i.e., responsibilities of a brother toward his sister or responsibilities of a father toward his children, etc. In simple words, Duties are what you give, whereas responsibilities are what you undertake.

Duties are the assigned work that must be done within a specific time. On the flip side, responsibilities are the moral obligations that must be followed while performing the duties. The duty is doing the allocated work, whereas responsibility is doing that assigned work accurately, efficiently, and within the given deadlines. Duty comprises a sense of love and affection in it. Conversely, responsibilities are devoid of emotions like love and affection.

Duties are not a burden toward a person, while responsibilities are encumbrances that must be handled to perform your role at a specific position. Duty represents an active feeling for doing something. On the flip side, responsibility is a dexterity to act at one’s own will.

What are the Duties?

Duties can be defined as ethical, authorized, or professional responsibilities, which are essential to be performed by a person; otherwise, he must face certain punishment. Duties determine what a person should do at his specific position in a standard course of action in common or specific circumstances.

The law based on which a country is governed has specified specific duties which are obligatory to be followed by every citizen. It is demonstrated as a binding legal force that forces a person to abide by the law and perform his duties within a stipulated period. Duties are necessary tasks to be followed by every citizen according to his job, rank, position, and character in an organization.

In management, the word ‘duty’ is used to describe the tasks, which have to be performed by an employee as a part of his job. In economics, duties are described as a form of tax imposed by the government on the goods purchased or sold to foreign countries. The payment of such taxes is the duty of importers and exporters; otherwise, the penalty has to be scheduled.

An active feeling of doing something is called duty. They are not burdensome to a passionate citizen. The self-sacrificing people of the country perform their duties with love and affection.

Duties are time-bound with mindless obligations. Duties can be distinguished according to regulations, but it also deals with personal connotations based on personal values too. Obeying administrative and moral rules set by an organization is called duty.

What are Responsibilities?

Responsibility is a word that originated from the Latin word ‘respondere,’ which means respond to something. The state of being responsible or accountable in a specific condition or taking an obligation to do something is called responsibility.

Responsibilities have two forms. The first one is in the form of giving burdensome tasks, but the second one is in the form of accepting the task or role assigned to you. Responsibilities deal with decision making and incarnate a sense of maturity and self-respect in a person.

Responsibilities can be defined as a state of authority or obligation implied to a person by his own will to attain the desired results. Responsibilities are burdensome and require trustworthiness and faithfulness. Responsibilities make a person answerable or accountable for the task assigned, for protecting the valuable assets, or for the protection of a specific person. Therefore, a responsible person must be ready to bear the consequences of his actions, whether positive or negative.

Responsibility often deals with an authoritative organization that gives directions and take relevant actions when required. When authority is given to a specific person, he is held responsible for his performance and the best use of the delegated authority.

Examples

Taking care of children is a father’s responsibility. Taking care of patients is a doctor’s responsibility. Construction of a secure structure is a builder’s responsibility. Taking consideration of your customers is a businessman’s responsibility. Taking care of his siblings after the death of a father is an elder brother’s responsibility.

Conclusion

The actions that are compulsory to be completed within a specific time are called duties, whereas the actions completed efficiently, accurately, and within the given deadlines are called responsibilities.