1.
contract employee, fixed-term employee
An employee hired on a fixed-term contract, as opposed to a regular full-time employee (正社員). The contract is typically renewed annually or at set intervals, but the position lacks the job security and benefits of permanent employment.
契約社員として働いている。
I'm working as a contract employee.
契約社員から正社員に登用された。
I was promoted from contract employee to regular employee.
契約社員は正社員と同じ仕事をしていても、給料や待遇に差がある場合が多い。
Even when contract employees do the same work as regular employees, there are often differences in salary and benefits.
USAGE:
A key term in Japanese employment culture. Japan's labor market distinguishes sharply between 正社員 (regular, permanent employees) and various forms of non-regular employment including 契約社員, 派遣社員 (temporary agency workers), and パート (part-timers).
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 契約社員として採用する: to hire as a contract employee
- 契約社員の更新: contract renewal
- 契約社員から正社員へ: from contract to regular employee
RELATED TERMS:
正社員 (regular/permanent employee), 派遣社員 (temporary agency worker), 非正規雇用 (non-regular employment).