phrase requests - Non-union-affiliated shop steward


I'm looking for an English word or short phrase to convey a meaning which is similar to “union representative” or “shop steward”, except that the person in question is not (necessarily) associated with a union. That person is an employee of a company who is elected by his fellow employee to represent him in various relations with the employer.


The point is to distinguish between two concepts in French labor relations: a “délégué syndical” (lit. “union representative”), and a “délégué du personnel” (lit. “representative of the workforce”). While it is possible for a délégué du personnel to also be a délégué syndical, they are separate roles, and the délégué du personnel does not have to be a union member, and even if he is he does not speak for the union in his role as a délégué du personnel.


IATE is decidedly unhelpful here, suggesting only “shop steward” and “trade union representative” for délégué du personnel, both of which are wrong. Linguee offers suggestions, but none that strike me as clearly making the difference between union and union-agnostic representatives. There evidently is no similar concept in labor relations in English-speaking countries, so I'm looking for a good enough approximation.


What would be a good way to translate délégué du personnel into English (taking care not to imply a union representative)? A way to describe this role in a sentence or two that makes sense to UK and US audiences would be appreciated too.



Answer



A general term for this is staff representative or staff rep for short. This can be used for any person who represents staff and need not be a member of any union (although they may).


If it really must be stressed the person is not a union member, I'd got for non-union [staff] rep.


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