A person hired to work for an employer in exchange for wages or salary; a worker.
From French employé (past participle of employer, to employ). Entered English in the 18th century from French business terminology, replacing the older term 'servant.'
The word 'employe' is specifically French-based, which is why some fancy companies used to insist on it instead of 'employee'—it sounded more sophisticated, like your workers were part of the Continental leisure class rather than just labor.
Historically gendered in hiring practices; 'employee' without gender marker emerged as standard neutral form mid-20th century, but 'employe' (French spelling) retained feminine associations in English legal/formal contexts.
Use 'employee' or specify role title instead. Avoid 'employe' in contemporary English.
["employee","worker","staff member","[specific role title]"]
Women's labor market participation forced formal language neutralization; archaic 'employe' should not resurface.
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