This characteristic defines the nature of the labour relationship between the employed and the company where they work, with reference to their main occupation on the reference date. For unemployed people who have worked previously and for retired people this refers to the nature of their labour relationship prior to becoming unemployed or to their retirement.

The following groups are considered:

1. Entrepreneur, professional or self-employed worker employing personnel. Employer or entrepreneur with salaried workers.
2. Entrepreneur, professional or self-employed worker not employing personnel. Entrepreneur not employing personnel or self-employed worker.
3. Co-operative worker: Member of a co-operative.
4. Salaried worker, permanently or indefinitely employed worker. Person who works for a fixed salary, wage, commission or any other type of remuneration.
5. Salaried worker, temporarily or provisionally employed worker. Person who works for a temporary or interim salary, wage, commission or any other type of remuneration.
6. Family help. Person who works without regulated remuneration in the company or business of a family member.

The first group is comprised of all people who run their own business or who are self-employed in a liberal profession, trade, industry or shop and have one or more employees or workers who are remunerated with a salary, wage or commission, etc..

The second group includes all those who work in their own business, or who are self-employed in a liberal profession, trade, industry or shop but do not have any employees or workers.

The fourth and fifth groups are made up of people who work for a public or private company, and thus receive remuneration in the form of a wage, salary, commission, bonus or any other type of remuneration, making a distinction between permanent and temporary, dependant upon whether the relationship with the company is protected by an indefinite work contract or not.

A family help is considered to be a person who works in the business of a family member, without receiving a fixed wage or salary, in money or in kind.