Worker Number vs. Person Number

In Oracle HCM, both Person Numbers and Worker Numbers serve as unique identifiers, but they are used in different contexts. Understanding the difference between these two identifiers is essential for accurate employee and worker management within the system.

🔑 What is a Person Number?

A Person Number is a unique identifier assigned to every individual in the system. This number is used to track person-related data across the entire organization. It is generated automatically or can be manually entered during the creation of a person record.

• Key Features of Person Numbers:
  • Single per person: Each person in Oracle HCM has one unique person number, regardless of the number of work assignments or roles they hold.
  • Automatic or Manual Generation: Person numbers can be generated automatically before submission or manually entered.
  • Enterprise-Wide Unique: The person number is unique across the entire enterprise and is required for each person in the system.

Person Number Allocation Methods:

• Manual: You can enter the person number manually when creating the person record.
• Automatic Prior to Submission: Person numbers are automatically created before the submission of the transaction. This can result in gaps if the transaction is cancelled.
• Automatic Upon Final Save: Person numbers are generated once the record is successfully saved, ensuring no gaps in the sequence.

📋 What is a Worker Number?

A Worker Number is an identifier specifically associated with a work relationship (such as employment or contingent work). Unlike Person Numbers, Worker Numbers are assigned based on work assignments and can be unique within a legal employer.

• Key Features of Worker Numbers:
  • Multiple Worker Numbers per Person: An individual can have multiple worker numbers if they hold multiple work relationships (e.g., employment with one legal employer and a contingent work relationship with another).
  • Automatic or Manual Allocation: Worker numbers can be manually assigned or automatically generated using either a global sequence or a legal employer-specific sequence.
  • Legal Employer-Specific: If using a legal employer sequence, the worker number may not be unique across the entire enterprise.

Worker Number Allocation Methods:

• Manual: Worker numbers can be manually entered when creating work relationships for a person.
• Automatic Global Sequence: Automatically generates a unique worker number using a global sequence for all employees across the enterprise.
• Automatic Legal Employer Sequence: Generates a worker number specific to each legal employer, which might not be unique across the enterprise.

🔍 Key Differences Between Person Numbers and Worker Numbers

👨‍💼 Worker Number for Rehires

• If you use a global sequence, the worker number remains the same regardless of whether an employee is:

  • Rehired in the same legal employer.
  • Rehired in a different legal employer.
  • Transferred globally to a different legal employer.

• If you use a legal employer sequence, the worker number changes when the worker is:

  • Rehired in a different legal employer.
  • Transferred to a different legal employer.

💡 Practical Example

Employee with Multiple Roles:

• Person Number: A single identifier assigned to John Doe, which remains the same even if he is assigned to multiple positions or transferred across departments or legal employers.
• Worker Numbers:
  • For John's employment at Oracle India, he will be assigned a worker number specific to Oracle India.
  • If John is also a contractor in Oracle USA, he will receive a different worker number specific to Oracle USA.

🔐 Summary

• The Person Number is the primary identifier for individuals across the enterprise and remains consistent for the entire lifecycle of the person in Oracle HCM.
• The Worker Number, on the other hand, is tied to specific work relationships and can vary based on the legal employer or type of assignment.

I hope this blog post was helpful for you. If you have any questions or feedback, please leave a comment below.