direct report

USAGE SUMMARY

The term "direct report" is correct and usable in written English.
This term is used to refer to someone who is directly answerable to another person, such as a manager or supervisor. For example, "The manager asked his direct report to prepare a summary of the quarterly results."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

I like to hear how a direct report would describe you and your management style.

The New York Times

Q. Let's say I'm about to start working for you as a direct report.

The New York Times

How do you hire for a position at the corporate office, a direct report?

The New York Times

What are you looking for in, say, somebody who would be a direct report?

The New York Times

I sometimes need to meet them at least twice, even three times, especially if they're my direct report.

The New York Times

Jenny, 59, former computer systems analyst I once had a direct report [worker] who was straight out of school and obviously did not own a nice suit.

The Guardian

His position is not being filled immediately and most of the team that used to work for him (of which I am one) feel very bitter and angry towards the managing director, who is now our direct report.

The Guardian - Money

And a senior manager, asking a direct report how he was doing, was treated to this: "Well, I haven't had sex for five years, so I guess I'm not doing so good".

The New York Times

In this method, the structure is more, "What have you done in the past relative to what this job needs?" So if I'm hiring a direct report, we'll have four people plus one person from H.R. in the interview committee.

The New York Times

"Jared will be doing your training, and he'll be your main contact here at CE. Dan's the head of the department, as you know, but your direct report is Jared.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

23 25 The intervention will help managers reflect on the quality of the supervisor-direct report relationship (Leader-member exchange) which can buffer the negative effect of work stressors on well-being.

BMJ Open

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always clarify who a "direct report" answers to, especially in matrix organizations where employees might have multiple reporting lines.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by clearly defining who the "direct report" answers to, particularly in complex organizational structures. Lack of clarity can lead to confusion and inefficiencies.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "direct report" functions as a noun phrase that identifies an employee who reports directly to a specific manager. As Ludwig AI explains, it denotes a hierarchical relationship within an organization. It describes a person's role in relation to their supervisor.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Academia

7%

Encyclopedias

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "direct report" is a noun phrase that clearly defines an employee's position within a hierarchical structure, specifically someone who reports directly to a manager. As Ludwig AI confirms, the term is grammatically correct and commonly used. With a professional register, it's frequently found in news and media, science, and formal business settings. When writing, be sure to clearly define the reporting lines to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "reporting employee" or "subordinate staff member" can be used depending on the context, but "direct report" offers precision in specifying the reporting relationship.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Line report

Highlights the directness of the reporting line.

Individual reporting directly to

Adds emphasis on the direct nature of the reporting relationship.

Reporting employee

Focuses on the employee's action of reporting, rather than their position in the hierarchy.

Directly supervised employee

This alternative rephrases the relationship highlighting supervision.

Subordinate staff member

Emphasizes a formal hierarchical structure and the staff member's lower rank.

Employee under supervision

Highlights the supervisory aspect of the relationship.

Staff member reporting to

Specifies the act of reporting to a particular person, making it more descriptive.

Hierarchical subordinate

Stresses the place in the hierarchy between the two figures.

Team member accountable to

Emphasizes accountability and being part of a team.

Staff member supervised by

Highlights who is supervising the staff member.

FAQs

How do I use "direct report" in a sentence?

You can say, "She is a "direct report" to the CEO", or "He manages three "direct reports" in the marketing department".

What is another way to say "direct report"?

Alternatives include "reporting employee", "subordinate staff member", or "line report", depending on the context.

What responsibilities does a manager have towards their "direct reports"?

Responsibilities include providing guidance, conducting performance reviews, offering development opportunities, and ensuring a supportive work environment.

What is the difference between a "direct report" and an indirect report?

A "direct report" is directly supervised by a manager, while an indirect report is supervised through another level of management.