5 Comments

• 
  David Harold Davi - 4 years ago

  Read the meanings in a dictionary.... it's cut and dry.

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  Katherine Razzi - 10 years ago

  The word, "associate" as someone said before me, does imply that the person is somehow vested in a business and able to make some executive decisions as to how an organization operates. In my mind, an associate has more responsibilities and his or her status is closer to a vice president. "Employee," describes a person employed to do certain tasks and garner a paycheck. "Employee" does not equate to "slave," though there are some who may argue the point in jest. And yet, I believe this is the very reason why some organizations are calling their employees, "associates" so that they don't feel like slaves. But that doesn't have to be the case. And I don't care what you call employees as long as you treat them with dignity and respect. You can call them kings and queens if you want, but if they are under-valued, and abused, what good are those titles?

  I feel that some of my colleagues, or should I say, coworkers, raise an eyebrow when I use the word, "boss" to describe my supervisor. I'd rather the word "boss" than supervisor, but I think some feel that "boss" sounds "bossy" and therefore rather passé. I don't say to her, "Hey, Boss! How's it going?" I call her by her first name. I think salutations depend a lot on the culture of the organization.

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  Diana - 10 years ago

  Whether you call a person an employee or associate, VIce President or Director is meaningless. The culture of the organization as demonstrated by how you respect the individual is what is important.

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  Gregg - 10 years ago

  I like Team Member as well but the important thing is that the organization is thinking about these type of details and doing something different to promote a more positive culture. If you are doing "something" to build a culture, it is better than doing nothing and letting the culture build itself.

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  Kelly - 10 years ago

  Team Member