What is a direct report

A direct report is an employee who reports directly to a senior manager (the direct reportee) who is above them in the organizational hierarchy.

Businesses with hierarchical organizational structures typically use this management style to allow for more effective communication between the different tiers of an organization. For example, large companies often use a number of direct reports to keep track of departments or manage a team of employees.

While direct reports work under higher positions, they can also hold high positions. For instance, a vice president of a tech company reports to the CEO and manages several direct reports.

Some of the responsibilities of a direct report include:

• Performance reviews with team members

• Hosting team meetings

• Project management

• Decision-making

• Promoting employee engagement

Having direct reports requires direct reportees to establish their span of control and delegate tasks. When managing direct reports, direct reportees must arrange regular check-ins and one-on-one meetings to provide constructive feedback and ensure the direct report is meeting set goals.

Some positions that have a direct report include:

• Managers

• Team leaders

• Supervisors

• CEOs

• Company president

• Shareholder

• Store owner

• Head of a department

• Director

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

In addition to direct reports, some organizations have indirect reports. 

Direct reports work under a supervisor, whereas indirect reports work under a direct report. This means that an indirect report is part of a direct reportee’s responsibility since they manage the direct report.