Mitarbeiter

Mitarbeiter is a German noun meaning employee or staff member. It denotes a person who works for a company or organization under a contract of employment. The term is gendered masculine; the corresponding feminine form is Mitarbeiterin, and in inclusive language the compound phrase Mitarbeiterinnen und Mitarbeiter is frequently used to refer to all staff, while Belegschaft can denote the workforce as a group.

Etymology: The word combines mit- “with” and Arbeiter “worker,” reflecting the idea of a person who works with others within an organization. It has been in use since the 19th century and is widely used in business and administration.

Usage and scope: In everyday German, Mitarbeiter refers to staff members at different levels, from junior to managerial positions. In formal or legal contexts, the term Arbeitnehmer (employee) is common, whereas “Mitarbeiter” is widely used in internal communication, HR, and corporate policy. The term does not by itself imply union status or employment type (full-time, part-time, temporary).

Related concepts and HR terminology: Common phrases include Mitarbeiterbindung (employee retention), Mitarbeiterentwicklung (employee development), and Mitarbeitergespräch (employee performance review). The term Belegschaft describes the entire workforce.

Geographic variation: The term is used in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, with minor stylistic differences in official language. While gender-inclusive language is encouraged in many organizations, traditional usage remains widespread.