staff member

/ˈstæf ˈmɛmbər/
phraseBeginner employee of an organization
formal

An individual employed by an organization or company, typically as part of a larger team or workforce.

The hospital has over 500 staff members across various departments.

The hospital employs more than 500 people in different roles.

As a staff member, she was responsible for managing the front desk.

In her role, she oversaw the reception area.

💡

The term is commonly used in formal and professional settings to refer to employees collectively or individually.

Collocations

hire a staff memberto employ someonededicated staff memberan employee committed to their role

Related Phrases

staff meetingphrase
a gathering of employees to discuss work-related matters
staff trainingphrase
educational sessions for employees

💡Pro Tip

Formal vs. Informal Use

In formal contexts, 'staff member' is preferred over 'employee' when referring to individuals in a collective sense.

Gold Rule

Avoid Redundancy

Do not use 'staff member' when 'employee' or 'worker' is sufficient, as it can sound overly formal or repetitive.

📖Word Origin

From 'staff' (a group of employees) + 'member' (a part of a group). The phrase has been used since the early 20th century to describe individuals within an organization.

📝Usage Notes

The phrase is neutral and can refer to any level of employee, from entry-level to senior positions. It is often used in job postings, organizational charts, and workplace communications.

Word Breakdown

staff
a group of people working together
root
+
member
an individual part of a group
root
English Dictionary