Final answer:
It is false that every task in a supervisor's job description can be delegated. Some tasks, especially those related to strategic decisions and confidential matters, typically remain under the supervisor's purview. While delegation is common, it is not universally applicable to all supervisory duties.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that essentially every task listed in the average supervisor's job description is a reasonable prospect for delegation is false. While modern businesses and organizational theory recognize the benefits of delegation for managerial effectiveness and employee empowerment, not every task can or should be delegated. Certain responsibilities such as strategic decision-making, confidential employee issues, and performance reviews often remain with the supervisor. Moreover, the current trends in business increasingly see outsourcing of certain jobs, but this does not equate to the delegation of every single supervisory task.
It is important to consider the nature of the task, the capabilities of the employee, and the necessary oversight required when choosing to delegate tasks. Companies streamline their command structures, and while modern businesses do divide tasks, from the division of labor in a restaurant to the intricate job classifications in a large manufacturing factory or a hospital, not every supervisory task is suitable for delegation.