office plankton

Calque of Russian о́фисный планкто́н (ófisnyj planktón) having the same meaning.

office plankton pl (plural only)

1. (derogatory) Anonymous office workers.
   • 2013, Slovo: Issues 63-65:

     What type of personality and whose values — the traditional worker or "the office plankton" — are preferable?

   • 2008, The Current Digest of the Post-Soviet Press, page 7:

     The fourth group is made up of office employees, the so-called "office plankton," "white-collar workers" or ...

   • 2011 December 23, Ellen Barry, “Young and Connected, 'Office Plankton' Protesters Surprise Russia”, in The New York Times:

     They were workaholics in their 20s — “office plankton,” as they are sometimes called here — punchy from an apocalypse-themed office party, some headed for winter vacations in Egypt and Turkey.

   • 2012, Polina Kudiyevskaya, Gennadiy Balashov, How to Become an Adventurist? The Reflections of a Millionaire‎:

     But how can you invent a distinction if you feel you are part of ordinary office plankton? What if this is how the people around view you?

   • 2018, Due Machiavelli, Niccolo Machiavelli, The President / The Prince‎:

     Office plankton is mentioned often are numerous small employees, which salary is a little connected with result of their work.

   • 2019 November 6, Gary Gindler, “Who Can Stop Trump Now?”, in American Thinker:

     Washington office plankton, as it turns out, are unhappy that the commander-in-chief did not heed their opinion.