What does "supervisor" mean to you?

System · April 2006

x:-/ When you hear the word "supervisor," who do you think of? Does it just mean front-line supervisors, or does it also include higher-level managers? Do you use the term for white-collar positions, blue-collar, or both?

The question came up yesterday at HR Hero HQ when we were thinking of a name for an audio conference. When we say an audio conference is for "supervisors," we mean everyone who supervises someone else. But some people thought "supervisor" meant only front-line supervisors, or that it was a blue-collar term. We finally settled on the phrase "people who lead people" and we all sang the Barbra Streisand song, "People ... people who lead people ... are the most supervisory people in the world."

So anyway, what does the term "supervisor" mean to you? Is there a better word to use in general?

James Sokolowski
HRhero.com

marc · April 2006

The person whose picture is on the dartboard.

NaeNae55 · April 2006

Ok James. Listen very carefully. Look around you. Do you see the person with the cap off of the large permanent marker? If not, look for someone with the lid off their glue bottle/stick. Get them to put the top back on, and then open all the windows and doors. You guys definitely need some fresh air.

Nae

Whirlwind · April 2006

We use the term "supervisor" to mean anyone who supervises anyone else at any level. Their actual job titles might be anything from division director to dorm manager to maintenance supervisor -- it matters not, because they are all still supervisors.

ray a · April 2006

Anyone who has direct reports supervises those employees whether they be front line supervisors, managers or directors. I've come across the same problem, I used to have Supervisor Lunch Meetings, but everyone from line supervisors up through Directors were invited. To assuage bruised egos, I renamed them Leadership Lunch Meetings.

Paul in Cannon Beach · April 2006

In a broad sense, anyone who oversees another employee's work is considered a "supervisor" here. So when we have a "supervisor lunch" its hard to say who might show up...

Getting more specific, the title "supervisor" is given to non-managers who oversee employees, make hiring recommendations and discipline employees.

HCCADC · April 2006

Getting more specific, the title "supervisor" is given to non-managers who oversee employees, make hiring recommendations and discipline employees-this is also how my company clarifies supervisors. (Non-Managers) Have a good day!

RoadKing · April 2006

James,

I definitely agree with NAENAE55 about the fumes in the room and the need to refresh the air occasionally. At my agency a supervisor has to have two or more FTE's directly reporting. I have two PTE's and do not consider myself a supervisor even though I approve leave, initiate discipline, etc.

Cheryl S SPHR · April 2006

To me, the term supervisor relates to any person whose duties include hiring, firing (or recommending termmination), and appraising the performance of another person or persons. It doesn't matter to me if they are white collar or blue collar -- the duties and responsibilities are the same as are the liabilities they create for your company.

Cheryl

LarryC · April 2006

I know I'm using a broad brush here, but a supervisor supervises people who have no direct reports. A manager manages supervisors.

Dutch2 · April 2006

We use the term Supervisor to simply mean someone that is responsible to supervisor others. We have a monthly supervisor meeting that has front line supervisors all the way up to the EVP's and the COO of the company. Of course we also have much smaller meetings with just the Sr. Management Team present.

System · April 2006

Thanks y'all, even NaeNae -- I was wondering why Marketing keeps so many markers in their conference room. 8-}

My general notion was that "supervisor" is a broad term for most people despite slight differences at different workplaces. And it sounds like you guys are backing me up. One less thing to worry about.

Thanks!

James Sokolowski
HRhero.com

Paul in Cannon Beach · April 2006

Kind of scary that we all subscribe to a employment law service that is still trying to get a handle on the term "supervisor".

What does "supervisor" mean to you?

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