In every company, there’s a system that shows how information and power flow. Right in the center of this system is the connection between a boss and and the person who reports to them.
This relationship between you and someone who reports to you at work is crucial for getting tasks done, handling projects, and the overall success of your business. What you call this person can vary depending on the situation and the way your company does things.
Let’s look at different names you can use for these key players within a company. We’ll focus on the top five terms that best describe their roles.
11 Terms for Someone Who Reports to You
- Direct report
- Report
- Supervisee
- Minion
- Subordinate
- Staff
- Employee
- Personnel
- Worker
- Workforce
- Manpower
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- When referring to someone who reports to you at work, it is important to use the right words that have a balance of professionalism and respect.
- You can use “Direct report” or “Supervisee”. These are formal terms that highlight responsibility and guidance, respectively.
- If you prefer something less formal, you can try using “Report”. If you need to stress the chain of command, you can use “Subordinate”, which is a more formal term.
5 Best Terms to Describe Someone Who Reports to You
When you’re at work, it’s key to use words that correctly show the professional relationships and the chain of command. The words you use to talk about your colleagues can shape how people see the team’s dynamics and the respect each role gets.
Let’s look at five top terms to describe someone who reports to you, and understand what they mean and suggest.
Direct report
A great way to refer to someone who works under you is as your “direct report”. This term shows a clear line of reporting and responsibility within the company.
The Cambridge Dictionary defines a direct report as “an employee whose position at work is directly below that of another person, and who is managed by that person”
This suggests that the employee has a direct line of communication with the manager and is responsible for giving updates, progress reports, and asking for guidance on their tasks and responsibilities.
Using “direct report” is good because it shows professionalism and respect. It doesn’t suggest servitude or being lesser, like some other terms might. Instead, it highlights the teamwork and chain of command in the working relationship.
To learn how to use “direct report” in a sentence, look over these examples:
“As a manager, I meet with my direct reports every week to discuss their progress.“
“John is one of my direct reports; he’s responsible for the marketing strategy.“
“All my direct reports are required to submit a weekly status update.“
“Each manager will have two direct reports to ensure efficient workflow.“
“I’m planning a training session for all my direct reports next week.“
“I encourage open communication with all my direct reports.“
Report
In a more casual setting, you can just say “report” to refer to someone who works under you. This shorter version of “direct report” is less formal and is often used in everyday chats at work.
This term keeps the main meaning of the original phrase. In fact, one of the definitions of ‘report’ according to the Cambridge dictionary is “someone who works for a particular manager”
When you choose to use “report,” make sure the conversation still shows the respect and professionalism the employee deserves. The term should highlight, not downplay, the importance of the employee’s role and contributions to the team and company.
Here are a few examples of using ‘report’ in conversation:
“I have a meeting with my report later today.“
“My report, Jane, has come up with a brilliant idea for our project.“
“Reports are expected to check in daily with any updates.“
“Tom, my report, handled that client issue very efficiently.“
“I like to keep a friendly relationship with my reports.“
“I encourage my reports to take on more responsibilities.“
Supervisee
You can also call someone who works under you a “supervisee”, especially when focusing on the supervisory part of the relationship.
This term is really useful when the manager’s role is mainly about mentorship, guidance, and oversight. It’s often used in educational or training settings where the manager or leader is also acting as a teacher or mentor.
Calling an employee a “supervisee” emphasizes the supervisor’s duty to give support and instruction. It suggests a relationship where the employee is expected to grow and improve with the supervisor’s guidance.
You can refer to these examples to learn how it works in a sentence:
“As a supervisor, I have three supervisees under my guidance.”
“My supervisee, Rachel, has shown great improvement in her work.”
“I meet with my supervisees every Friday for a catch-up.”
“My new supervisee is still learning the ropes of the job.”
“I’m proud of how much my supervisees have achieved this year.”
“My supervisee will be presenting at the conference tomorrow.”
Minion
The word “minion” is a more casual and fun way to refer to someone who works under you.
Historically, “minion” meant a loyal servant or follower, but nowadays, it’s often used jokingly to suggest a sense of dutiful support.
At work, using the word “minion” can be a playful way to describe the working relationship, but be careful with it. While “minion” can make the atmosphere friendly and relaxed, it also suggests servitude and lack of freedom. If used wrongly or in the wrong setting, it could be seen as disrespectful or belittling.
Here are a few examples of using “minion” in sentences:
“I jokingly refer to my team as my minions during our casual Friday meetings.“
“My favorite intern, my minion, Mike, always has the best coffee recommendations.“
“The office wouldn’t run smoothly without my trusty minions.“
“I’m proud of my minions at work for pulling off a successful event.“
“My minions are the best at organizing surprise office parties.“
“I rely on my minions to keep me updated on the latest office gossip.“
Subordinate
Lastly, you can use “subordinate” to formally describe someone who works under you in the company’s structure. It’s a straightforward term that clearly outlines the reporting relationship from a top-down viewpoint.
“Subordinate” can be suitable in official documents, legal settings, or conversations where it’s important to clearly show authority and rank. But, remember, this term might seem a bit stiff or distant. It highlights the power difference in the relationship, which might not always help create a team-focused workspace.
Here are a few examples that can explain the meaning and use of this word:
“As a team leader, I have four subordinates under my supervision.“
“My subordinate, Laura, has been promoted to a senior position.“
“All subordinates are expected to report their progress every week.“
“My subordinate will be representing our team at the meeting.“
“I have regular performance reviews with my subordinates.“
In conclusion, the terms you use to refer to someone who reports to you can significantly impact the dynamics within your team. As you choose which term to use, keep in mind the context, the tone you want to set, and how it may be received by your team. Ultimately, the goal is to maintain respect and professionalism in your workplace communication.
