piece-worker
Definition
Noun: A "piece-worker" is a person who is paid according to the number of items or units they produce, rather than by the hour or day. This type of worker earns wages based on the quantity of work completed.
Usage Examples
- (Workers paid per item assembled.)
- (Her income depended on output.)
- (They control their pace but face output demands.)
Advanced Usage
Piece-work rate: the amount paid per unit of work completed.
- The piece-work rate for sewing each shirt was $2.50. (The fixed payment per shirt.)
Piece-work system: a payment method based on output rather than time.
- The company switched to a piece-work system to boost productivity. (They changed how workers are paid.)
Variants and Related Words
Piecework (n): the work performed by a piece-worker; work paid for by the unit.
- She preferred piecework because it allowed her to earn more by working faster. (The type of employment.)
Pieceworker (n): an alternative spelling of piece-worker.
- The pieceworker was paid after each batch was completed. (Same meaning.)
Synonyms
- Task worker: a worker paid per task or assignment.
- Output worker: a worker compensated based on production volume.
- Unit worker: a worker paid per unit of goods produced.
Related Idioms
Piece by piece: doing something gradually or in parts.
- He worked piece by piece to finish the order. (He completed the work in stages, similar to a piece-worker's approach.)
Working by the piece: earning money per item made.
- She was working by the piece in the garment industry. (Earning per garment sewn.)
Antonyms
- Hourly worker: a worker paid by the hour.
- Salaried employee: a worker paid a fixed annual salary regardless of output.