Legal Definitions - supervisor

A supervisor is an individual who holds a position of authority over others, typically employees, and is responsible for directing their work and making decisions that affect their employment. In the context of labor law, particularly under statutes like the National Labor Relations Act, a supervisor is specifically defined by their ability to exercise independent judgment in actions such as hiring, transferring, suspending, laying off, recalling, promoting, discharging, disciplining, or handling grievances of other employees, or effectively recommending such actions.

Beyond the workplace, the term can also refer to a chief administrative officer in certain local government structures, such as a town or county.

• Example 1 (Workplace - Corporate):

  Maria is a Senior Project Manager at a software development company. She is responsible for assigning tasks to the software engineers on her team, conducting their annual performance reviews, approving their time-off requests, and recommending them for promotions or disciplinary action to human resources.

  Explanation: Maria acts as a supervisor because she directs the work of others, evaluates their performance, and makes significant recommendations that directly impact their employment status and career progression, demonstrating the exercise of independent judgment over her team members.

• Example 2 (Workplace - Retail/Service):

  David is the shift manager at a busy restaurant. During his shift, he has the authority to send a server home early for poor performance, approve a cook's request to swap shifts, and interview potential new bussers, making recommendations to the general manager for hiring.

  Explanation: David's role fits the definition of a supervisor because he exercises independent judgment in managing the daily operations and personnel. He can discipline employees by sending them home, approve scheduling changes, and influence hiring decisions, all of which are key supervisory functions.

• Example 3 (Governmental):

  Sarah is an elected County Supervisor for a rural county. In this role, she participates in board meetings to set county policy, approve the county budget, and oversee the various county departments, including public works and social services.

  Explanation: Here, "supervisor" refers to Sarah's role as a chief administrative officer within a local government. She holds authority over county operations and policy, representing the administrative leadership of the county.