Roles, responsibility & decision rights · Working
Dotted-line reporting
Also called: matrix reporting line
ELI5
An additional, usually weaker or advisory reporting relationship.
Used in conversation
“Which version of dotted-line reporting should the board treat as current?”
Pitch context
You will see “Dotted-line reporting” in organisation plans, workforce reviews, change programmes and people reports when the discussion reaches roles, responsibility & decision rights.
Why it matters: In roles, responsibility & decision rights, the definition can change who is affected, accountable, protected or entitled to act.
Caution
Employment law and workplace practice vary by jurisdiction and agreement.
Sources & evidence · 2
Direct term-level sources and supporting source families.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — BLS GlossaryDirect source · primary · checked 2026-08-16
- OECD — G20/OECD Principles of Corporate Governance 2023Direct source · institutional · checked 2026-08-16