Factotums

Factotum is a term describing a person employed to perform a wide range of tasks or duties within an organization or household. The word comes from the Latin facere (to do) and totum (the whole), originally signaling a servant capable of handling all the chores of a household. The plural form is factotums.

Historically, factotums were common in noble households and small businesses, serving as multipurpose agents who could run errands, manage inventories, perform maintenance, or assist various staff as needed.

In modern usage, a factotum is often a versatile employee or contractor who can support multiple functions—such as administration, operations, and technical tasks—across departments or projects. In startups and small teams, a factotum may function as a one-person services unit, while in larger organizations the term describes flexible roles that supplement specialized staff.

The term carries a positive sense of adaptability but can imply role ambiguity or overextension if responsibilities are not clearly defined. Some contexts prefer more specific labels such as generalist, administrative assistant, or operations coordinator.

Related concepts include generalist, jack-of-all-trades, and multipurpose worker.