Which type of employees are you?
The pandemic drives Great Resignation and Great Reshuffle, what people are talking about recently. For the coming years, almost all organizations are facing higher turnover rates, and declining employee loyalty, which definitely affect companies to maintain a seizable pool of talents.
In addition, the notion of what makes a “good job” is changing, what the company needs is no longer an average employee. Instead, a variety in type of employees is more noticed and companies are making an effort to learn about them.
It is important for companies, all employers and talent acquisition to deeply understand each type of employees and what motivates them. As a result, companies can decide which type of employees are best for your businesses regarding staffing needs and productivity fluctuations.
In this article, we delve into what employees are, the most common type of employees and tips to manage and motivate them to perform well. Which can help organizations to handle low employee retention, high staff turnover and other difficulties in recruiting.
Table of Contents
Overview
| What is an employee? | A person hired by an employer to do a specific job |
| How to define the type of employees? | Based on work hours, personality, or engagement level. |
| What are types of employment? | Full-time / Part-time / Seasonal / Leased / Contingent employees |
What are Employees?
Employees are individuals who are hired or engaged by an organization to perform specific tasks or duties in exchange for compensation. They work under the supervision and direction of the employer, adhering to established policies and procedures.
Related:
What are the 7 most common types of employees ? (+ Tips)
There are several classifications of employees and the most common one is based on work hours, contract and other employee compensation. Here are the most common types of employees within this classification:
#1. Full-time Employees
- This type of employees working on a regular basis, typically 40 hours per week.
- They are entitled to worker compensation benefits such as health insurance, paid time off, and retirement plans.
- Full-time employees are considered long-term members of the organization and often have more job security.
Best practices to manage and motivate full-time employees:
- Set clear goals and expectations, and career development opportunities
- Give frequently feedback and evaluations
- Go the extra mile to build trust and maintain dedicated conversations
- Provide competitive worker compensation benefits
#2. Part-time Employees
- This type of employees works fewer hours compared to full-time employees.
- They may have flexible schedules and are often hired to meet specific workload requirements or to cover shifts.
- Part-time employees receive fewer employee benefits depending on local regulations and organizational policies.
Best practices to manage and motivate part-time employees:
- Keep communication lines open
- Invest time and effort in training part-time employees
- Schedule flexibility
#3. Seasonal Employees
- They are hired to fulfill temporary roles during peak seasons or specific periods of increased demand.
- Common in industries such as retail, hospitality, and agriculture. For example, a hotel may hire 20 seasonal employees to ensure adequate staffing during peak seasons.
- They are typically hired for a fixed duration and are released once the seasonal demand decreases.
Best practices to manage and motivate seasonal employees:
- Provide thorough training, clear guidelines, and support during their limited time
- Treat them the same as full-time employees
- Clearly talk about your expectations for the work-term to avoid any confusion
#4. Leased Employees
- They are employed by a staffing agency or leasing company and then assigned to work for a client organization.
- For instance, a technology firm might engage a leasing company to provide software developers with expertise in a particular programming language for a six-month project.
- The leasing company remains the employer of record, their payroll, benefits, and other administrative tasks, but the leased employee works under the direction and supervision of the client organization.
- This arrangement allows organizations to access specific skills or expertise without the long-term commitment of direct employment.
Best practices to manage and motivate leased employees:
- Clearly communicate job responsibilities, performance expectations, and project objectives.
- Provide necessary resources, tools, and training
- Consider including leased employees in recognition programs or incentives
#5. Contingent Employees
- This type of employees, also known as freelancers, independent contractors, or consultants, are hired for specific projects or tasks on a contractual basis.
- They work on a temporary or project-based arrangement rather than being employed as regular staff members.
- Contingent employees often have specialized skills and provide flexibility for organizations to scale their workforce based on fluctuating needs.
Best practices to manage and motivate contingent employees:
- Ensure they understand their roles, responsibilities, and performance expectations.
- Provide regular updates and feedback
- Provide comprehensive onboarding and training
- Offer flexibility in work hours or remote work options whenever feasible
#6. Interns
- Interns are individuals, often students or recent graduates, who join an organization for a fixed period to gain practical work experience in a specific field.
- Internships provide an opportunity for students to apply their theoretical knowledge, develop new skills, and explore potential career paths.
- Internships may be paid or unpaid, depending on local regulations and organizational policies.
Best practices to manage and motivate interns:
- Offer opportunities for interns to enhance their skills and knowledge through training programs, workshops, or seminars.
- Facilitate networking opportunities
- Acknowledge their efforts through verbal praise, certificates, or small tokens of appreciation.
- Offer guidance on potential next steps, such as references or future job opportunities.
#7. Apprentices
- Apprentices are type of employees who engage in a combination of on-the-job training and classroom instruction to develop specialized skills in a particular trade or profession.
- Apprenticeships typically involve a formal agreement between the apprentice, the employer, and a training provider.
- They offer individuals a structured learning pathway and the opportunity to earn while they learn.
Best practices to manage and motivate apprentices:
- Offer apprentices the chance to rotate through different departments or roles within the organization.
- Provide a structured training program that combines on-the-job learning and formal instruction
- Ensure apprentices receive fair compensation aligned with industry standards
Related:
What are 6 types of employees based on motivation? (+ Tips)
According to Bain & Company’ research on 20000 workers in 10 countries, they identified 6 types of workers based on the concept of archetypes. Here is a brief description of each type of employees:
Operators type of employees
Nature: Operators are motivated by stability and structure. They seek clear instructions, defined roles, and a predictable work environment.
Ways to drive them: Provide clear expectations, well-defined processes, and opportunities for incremental progress. Recognize their attention to detail and their ability to execute tasks efficiently.
Explorers type of employees
Nature: Explorers are motivated by learning and personal growth. They seek new challenges, opportunities for skill development, and intellectual stimulation.
Ways to drive them: Offer diverse projects, training programs, and opportunities for innovation. Encourage them to explore new ideas and provide platforms for sharing knowledge.
Pioneers type of employees
Nature: Pioneers focus on autonomy and the ability to make a significant impact. They thrive in environments that allow them to take risks, challenge the status quo, and drive change.
Ways to drive them: Empower them with decision-making authority, encourage entrepreneurial thinking, and provide platforms for them to influence strategy and direction.
Givers type of employees
Nature: Givers are motivated by a sense of purpose and making a positive impact on others. They prioritize collaboration, empathy, and teamwork.
Ways to drive them: Promote a supportive and inclusive culture, recognize their contributions, and provide opportunities for them to contribute to social causes or community engagement initiatives.
Artisans type of employees
Nature: Artisans are workers that are affected by mastery and craftsmanship. They strive for excellence in their work, pay attention to detail, and take pride in their skills.
Ways to drive them: Provide opportunities for skill development, recognize their expertise, and foster a culture of continuous improvement. Encourage them to share their knowledge and mentor others.
Strivers type of employees
Nature: Strivers are likely to maintain external validation, recognition, and advancement opportunities. They have a strong desire to succeed and seek rewards for their efforts.
Ways to drive them: Set clear goals, provide feedback and recognition for achievements, and offer opportunities for career growth. Create a performance-driven environment that rewards their hard work.
Related:
Frequently Asked Questions
How many types of work and what are they?
There are 4 types of work that everyone should know are advantage creating, strategic support, essential support, and non-essential.
How many employees are employed?
According to Statista, it was estimated that about 3.32 billion are employed worldwide in 2022.
How many types of employee engagement are there?
The employee engagement classification is divided into three types: cognitive, emotional and physical engagement in a holistic approach.
What are the 4 types of workers?
The most typical employee types of classification involve: Full-Time Employees, Part-Time Employees, Seasonal Employees, and Temporary Employees
Bottom Line
Employees form the backbone of any organization, providing the necessary skills, knowledge, and effort to achieve the company’s objectives. Recognizing the importance of each type of employee in fostering a supportive work environment is crucial for organizations to thrive and succeed in a competitive landscape.
By valuing and investing in employees’ training and evaluation process, you can create a positive and productive workplace culture that benefits both the individuals and the organization as a whole. AhaSlides can be a best investment when it comes to delivering engaging and appealing training and evaluation for any type of employees. Take time to explore free AhaSlides features like live quizzes, polls, spinner wheel, in-built templates and more.
Ref: Weforum | Indeed | Fellow.app
