FTE (Full-Time Equivalent)

Intermediate 💼 Corporate / Business

Definition

A metric that converts various part-time, contract, and temporary workers into full-time employee units for headcount purposes. The mathematical fiction that makes your understaffed team look adequately resourced on spreadsheets.

Example Usage

We have 3.7 FTEs in design, which translates to one overwhelmed full-timer and five contractors who barely know each other's names.

Origin

Human resources and accounting terminology from the mid-20th century

Fun Fact

Companies often tout 'low FTE' counts while ignoring that their contractor costs exceed what they'd spend on actual employees with benefits.

Source: Human resources and accounting terminology

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