1.
rank-and-file employee, regular staff member
An ordinary employee with no managerial title or special position. The lowest rank in a company hierarchy.
まだ平社員です。
I'm still a regular employee.
入社十年でまだ平社員だ。
He's been with the company for ten years and is still a regular employee.
平社員から部長まで昇進した。
He was promoted from a regular employee all the way to department head.
平 (ordinary, flat) + 社員 (employee). Refers to a regular employee with no managerial title — the bottom rung of the corporate ladder.
REGISTER:
Often used with a self-deprecating or humble nuance. Saying まだ平社員です implies one hasn't been promoted yet.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 平社員から昇進する: to be promoted from a regular employee
- まだ平社員: still just a regular employee
- 平社員のまま: remaining a regular employee
JAPANESE CORPORATE HIERARCHY (bottom to top):
- 平社員 → 主任 → 係長 → 課長 → 部長 → 取締役 → 社長