Which word do you use to describe your coworkers? I know this can be a sensitive topic for many people and my view may not be in the majority, but I believe it was the best for the companies I worked for in the past. I know many people will disagree with me, but that’s ok, I’ve been in the minority before and will be again. So which word is the best to use? My vote: Neither. If you have to use one, use employee, but I am definitely not a fan of using “Associate”.
A number of years ago there was a big push to use “Associates” to describe the people who work at a company rather than calling them employees. I get it, it was supposed to give a better feeling of belonging than simply being an “employee”. I am sure there were other reasons as well, but I have to tell you that being called an “associate” never sat well with me, nor did I like calling other people “associates”. Why? Frankly it feels impersonal, cold. Maybe that’s what some people prefer. Not me. I actually don’t mind being called an employee, but there is another word I like to use instead: TEAMMATE. or TEAM. I know some people think this is a sports analogy and it may be, but it is not limited to sports. Project Team, Sales Team, Team of Engineers, Team of Scientists, Reimbursement Team, etc.
Associate to me means someone you know, but is not close enough to be a friend – Just someone you know. A Teammate, however, is someone on your side, with the same overall goal – someone you work with. Your roles may be different, but you work together to get some overall result. People don’t feel that they are part of something special if they are an “associate”. If you on a Team though, you are definitely part of something, and everyone knows it. What do you think?