员工 (yuán gōng) is the common, general word for employees of a company or organization, covering all ranks and roles. It contrasts with 职员 (zhí yuán, office/clerical staff), 工人 (gōng rén, manual laborers), and the formal legal term 雇员 (gù yuán). 人员 (rén yuán) is broader, referring to personnel in a given context, not necessarily employed.