this post was submitted on 30 Sep 2026
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Really? I have always considered “associate” to sound like you aren’t a member of the organization. You’re just loosely associated with the organization.
I always figured it's to de-emphasize the fact that you have bosses and owners. Employee implies that clearly, while associate makes it seem more like you're working with colleagues of your own volition. All in the service of making you infinitesimally more pliable.
No it means more like "colleague".