Employees are the lifeblood of business.

They are the ones who drive productivity, innovation, and customer satisfaction. Hiring the right type of employees can make all the difference in the success of your business.

This blog helps you understand the types of employees and how to effectively work with each type to maximise productivity and create a positive work environment.

What Is An Employee Type?

Employee type is a classification of employees based on their employment status, work schedule, and relationship with the employer.

Understanding the type of employees in an organisation is essential for a business owner to manage their payroll, ensure compliance and to plan for employee needs effectively.

Different Types of Employees

In an organisation, employees are generally classified into two categories. One is based on employment, and the other is based on their personality or performance.

Let’s see them in detail.

Types of Employees Based on Employment Status:

Depending on the nature of employment, businesses have the following types of employees:

1. Full-Time Employees

Many businesses have full-time employees, which is one of the most common types. A full-time employee works for a fixed time, a minimum of 40 hours per week.

In India, the standard work hours for full-time employees are 48 hours per week, with one mandatory day off per week.

If you hire a full-time employee, you can expect the following:

  • Commitment and stability
  • Work efficiency
  • Professionalism
  • Adaptability of business changes
  • Proactive in decision-making

2. Part-Time Employees

Part-time employees are often hired to manage the workloads and financial constraints of a business.

Individuals who work less than 40 hours per week are considered part-time employees. If they work more than their fixed work time, depending on the working hours, the employer needs to pay the salary.

It is most beneficial for the business owners to hire a part-time employee in the following circumstances when:

  • There is a need for additional help during peak seasons
  • Specific skills are required temporarily
  • Struggling to reduce costs during slow periods

3. Temporary Employees

Hiring an individual for a limited period of time to complete specific tasks comes under temporary employment.

These temporary employees work like full-time employees, but the difference is that they won’t receive the same benefits as full-time employees.

You can consider them when you struggle to,

  • Balance fluctuating workloads
  • Meet deadlines
  • Fill temporary skill gaps
  • Budget constraints

4. Seasonal Employees

The name itself implies that these employees are hired for a specific period of time, usually during peak seasons or busy times for a business.

For example, during the Diwali festival season in India, retail stores often hire seasonal employees to handle the customers and sales.

5. Contract Employees

An individual who is hired for a specific period or project under a contractual agreement is known as a Contract Employee.

For example, you are running a marketing company for a specific project, and you hire a visual designer on a contract basis to create promotional materials for a limited time.

This allows you to access specialised skills without the long-term commitment of hiring a full-time employee.

Types of Employees Based on Personality

Individuals can come under any type of employment, but identifying their personality type is very important for business owners to create a positive working environment.

This helps them to motivate all the employees to work on the same goal to bring a positive impact on their business.

1. The Creative Thinker

Creative thinking in an individual is an appreciating skill. As the owner, you need to identify employees who possess this skill and encourage them to contribute their ideas and solutions to improve processes and drive innovation within the business.

However, the creative thinker may take a long time to adapt to routine tasks or may struggle with repetitive work.

Pay attention to them to avoid burnout and provide opportunities for them to engage in projects that allow them to utilise their creative abilities effectively.

This can lead to increased motivation and productivity in the long run.

2. The Natural Leader

Recognising the leadership quality in your employees helps you to reduce your workload.

It allows you to:

  • Delegate tasks effectively
  • Create a positive environment
  • Increased productivity

Also, it provides an opportunity for them to mentor and guide other team members, allowing them to develop their leadership skills and contribute to the overall success of the team.

If you want to delegate the task to the right leader and enjoy time freedom, you will get good clarity from the business coaches.

The P.A.C.E Program helps you build systems, drive results, and free yourself from the daily chaos.

3. The Team Player

Some employees work better in a team than working independently. You can easily identify them in the collaborative projects where they excel in communication, cooperation, and support for their colleagues.

However, they struggle to work independently and may struggle with decision-making on their own. You can motivate them to work independently by providing clear guidelines and support when needed. 

Encouraging them to take on small projects that allow them to gradually build their confidence and skills in working independently.

4. The Friendly Connector

In a work environment, having a friendly, kind individual is essential for team morale and cohesion.

The friendly connector is often the person who brings positivity and warmth to the team, making it a more enjoyable place to work.

However, they may struggle with setting boundaries and prioritising their own tasks, as they are often focused on supporting others.

You can help them by providing them with clear expectations and guidance on time management, which can help them balance their social nature with their individual responsibilities.

5. The Negative Thinker

This type of employee is often pessimistic and tends to focus on the downsides of situations, which can bring down team morale.

They may struggle to see the bigger picture and find solutions to problems.

Conducting regular check-ins with this employee to provide positive reinforcement and constructive feedback can help shift their mindset towards a more optimistic outlook.

6. The Blamer

Not everyone in the workplace is perfect, and the Blamer is quick to point fingers and assign blame when things go wrong.

Most business owners are aware that a blame culture can be toxic and counterproductive, so it’s important to address this behaviour early on.

If any of your employees exhibit blaming behaviour, encourage them to focus on finding solutions rather than assigning fault.

Providing training on conflict resolution and encouraging a culture of accountability can help prevent this negative behaviour from spreading throughout the team.

7. The Rule Breaker

Many business owners are struggling to handle employees who consistently break the rules.

Creating a strict rule is often ineffective in changing the behaviour of your employees. So, have open communication among your team, explaining why these rules are important and how they contribute to the overall success of the team.

Once you help your employees understand your expectations and the reasoning behind the rules, they are more likely to comply willingly. This approach can create a sense of responsibility and teamwork within your team.

8. The Overconfident Worker

Overconfident employees may not always be receptive to feedback or open to learning from their mistakes. You can identify them by observing how they respond to constructive criticism and whether they are willing to admit when they are wrong.

For them, you have to provide constructive criticism and guidance to help them understand the impact of their behaviour on the team and the organisation as a whole.

To create a more balanced team dynamic, consider pairing overconfident workers with more humble colleagues who can help provide perspective and encourage growth.

Why Is Understanding Types of Employees Important For Business Owners?

Most of the small business owners work with multiple employees who have different personalities and work styles.

Understanding your employees in the business environment helps you in several ways.

Better Team Management

Understanding the different employee types allows you to create more balanced teams, leading to better collaboration and productivity.

Improved Employee Satisfaction

Recognising and valuing each employee’s unique strengths can lead to higher job satisfaction and morale within the team.

Legal Compliance

Being aware of the different employee types can also help business owners ensure they are complying with employment laws and regulations, reducing the risk of potential legal issues in the future.

How to Identify Different Employee Types in Your Business?

Working with diverse employees in a workspace is not always easy. You can identify different employee types in your business by following:

Observing Employee Work Habits

This can include noting how they approach tasks, communicate with colleagues, and manage their time.

Communication Styles

It is helpful to categorise employees based on their communication styles, such as assertive, passive, or passive-aggressive.

Interactions with Colleagues

It helps you to understand how employees interact with their colleagues, whether they are team players or prefer to work independently.

Work Hours

Employees work different hours depending on their employment type, such as full-time, part-time, or contract. This can give insight into their commitment and availability for specific tasks or projects.

Productivity Levels

Tracking productivity levels can provide valuable information on how efficiently employees are completing tasks and meeting deadlines, which helps to identify whether they are performers or underperformers in the workplace.

How to Deal with a Complex Workforce

Every business owner needs to develop the ability to handle and manage a complex workforce in order to ensure productivity and success.

This may involve…

  • Implementing clear communication strategies
  • Providing ongoing training and development opportunities
  • Creating a positive work culture
  • Recognise and address any potential conflicts or issues within the team in a timely and effective manner.

Conclusion

Every business environment comprises individuals with different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.

To create a positive workplace, it is important for a business owner to understand that employee types are essential.

I hope this blog helps you understand the importance of employee types and how to lead them to create a productive and positive workplace.

If you are still struggling with handling your team, consider support from other business experts.