B2 – Upper Intermediate
As employees, we always strive to go up the corporate ladder as we stay longer in a company. As we become more successful in our career, we are faced with more responsibilities and challenges. These things cause stress. Studies in the past indicate that stress is a silent and deadly killer.
Read the article below then express your thoughts.
Ambition drives people at work to succeed, receive recognition, and eventually move up the chain of command. And with promotions and increased responsibilities also come dreams of new cars, bigger homes, more exotic vacations, and perhaps an earlier, more fulfilling retirement. Yet new research out of Britain irrefutably showed that promotions at work may actually harm the health of people.
Research indicated that the mental health of people worsened with a promotion. What’s more, it wasn’t a short-term deterioration but instead continued for the long term. Mental strain increased by an average of 10%. In addition, people were more likely to skip visits to the doctor, citing stress and a general lack of time that unexpectedly came with the new job. The research also showed that a promotion offered no health benefits whatsoever.
Past studies have shown what a silent and deadly killer stress can be, as it affects every part of the body. Stress can lead to heart disease, cancer, depression, and even more bouts with the common cold because it slows or shuts down important bodily functions like digestion, physical growth, and parts of the immune system. Although this is just temporary, frequent and severe stress causes the slow down to occur again and again. The effects are compounded over time.
The findings came from an annual survey which also included information from roughly 1,000 newly promoted people. And although the poor economy and the threat of joblessness loom large enough to cause stress for some, there’s now something else to worry about too: recognition and job promotion.
Source: headsupenglish.com
Vocabulary Questions:
- What does “chain of command” mean, “Ambition drives people at work to succeed, receive recognition, and eventually move up the chain of command.”? Use this phrase in a sentence.
- What does “bout” mean here, “Stress can lead to heart disease, cancer, depression, and even more bouts with the common cold because it slows or shuts down important bodily functions like digestion, physical growth, and parts of the immune system.” Use this word in a sentence.
- What does “compounded” mean, “The effects are compounded over time.” Use this word in a sentence.
Discussion Questions:
- What are some areas that generally cause stress?
- How about at your job?
- Do you agree that the new job responsibilities that come with a promotion are stressful?
- Why are some people so ambitious that they seek promotions again and again?
- Have you ever heard the term “work-life balance?” What do you think it means?
11 replies on “Job Promotions Unhealthy”
1. My team is the lowest in the chain of command at my company, we do not have anybody that responds to us.
2. Last year she had several bouts of common colds and flu.
3. The play was a succes because it was a compounded effort from everybody.
1. What are some areas that generally cause stress?
At work, one of the main areas that cause stress is deadlines. When you need to finish some task in a certain period of time you need to priorize, which can also impact on other tasks that need to be completed. Other areas that cause stress are an excesive workload or being in charge of too many projects at the same time.
2. How about at your job?
At my work, the main cause of stress is deadlines. Sometimes it is a matter of urgency and I have only hours to give feedback.
3. Do you agree that the new job responsibilities that come with a promotion are stressful?
I think they usually are. Normally, new job responsabilities generate stress until you learn to manage them properly and, sometimes, promotions make that your stress levels go up and stay there from that moment on.
4. Why are some people so ambitious that they seek promotions again and again?
I think there are people who are never happy with their current job. They believe that if you are no looking for promotions constantly you are not sucessful, but sometimes, being happy at your work and having a good life-work balance is a great sucess.
5. Have you ever heard the term “work-life balance?” What do you think it means?
Yes, I have. To me, it means to be able to work in something you enjoy but also being able to take the time to stay with your family, friends, or having the time to do anything you like, like sports, painting, reading, etc.
1) What are some areas that generally cause stress?
There are many areas that causing stress at our job, such as task deadlines, not meeting with our job responsibilities, heavy workload
2) How about at your job? In my case closed deadlines and workload
strees me the most.
3) Do you agree that the new job responsibilities that come with a promotion are stressful? Yes, I agree with that. A promotion in a job position normally implies more responsiblities, more people reports directly to you, so you certainly are in more stressfull position.
4) Why are some people so ambitious that they seek promotions again and again? Because they probably have the necesity of being recognized at all time. And of course, the ambitous of earning much money each time.
5) Have you ever heard the term “work-life balance?” What do you think it means? Yes, of course. It’s just the benefit to have a balance between your job and your personal life.
Your enthusiasm for learning really stands out. You also keep trying to express complex ideas using advanced vocabulary and longer sentence structures.
This response can be improved by removing sentence fragment and combining both ideas into one coherent sentence instead:
Strong learners use corrections as tools, and you are clearly doing that.
1. CHAIN OF COMMAND: When an issue happens with our customers at my job, it should be escalated following up the chain of command.
2. BOUT:
-This night it will be a very interesting bout between these new boxers in the champioship.
-The patient had about two or three consecutive bouts of migraines during last week.
– A new bout of COVID has been detected at the city, leading citizens remain at home, as a goverment request.
3. COMPOUNDED:
-Last communication from Prime Minister has compounded the negotiation on labor laws between all parties of the country.
-My new receipt is just compound of eggs, milk, sugar and vainilla
It’s wonderful to see you beginning your writing practice. Taking the first step shows courage, effort, and a willingness to improve. You may also write your answers to the discussion questions next time.
A smoother and more natural version would be:
Writing is a skill that grows with consistent effort, so stay patient and keep going. You’re moving in the right direction.
VOCABULARY
– Chain of command: Where I’m employed, I’m the last ladder in the chain of command. I do not have anyone below to give orders or control.
– Bouts: My next rival has won 14 out of the last 15 bouts. He really is one of the best boxing champions. // This winter she had several bouts of fever which didn’t let her really enjoy Christmas festivities.
– Compounded: her health situation was compounded due to all the binge drinking se had been doing over the last few weeks. // Sever drought has compounded the water levers of Catalonia’s mashes.
What are some areas that generally cause stress at work? How about areas for you at your job?
QUESTIONS
1. What are some areas that generally cause stress at work? How about areas for you at your job?
– There exists several areas responsible for stress: deadlines, crucial or vital decisions to make for your company or group of people who you represent… Nevertheless, several times stress is self-imposed. In partially everyone’s mind, we tend to envision us as a successful individual, the perfect employee, the astonishing colleague… We search for the other’s acceptance rather than focusing on what is going to make us advance. And as a consequence, we accept all the tasks asked us, overestimating the available time to complete them. As a result, we keep working more hours than we should, having less time for ourselfs. And this lack of time sentiment is the one that I think that leds us to stress.
In my case, stress is generated by all the situations that my head is able to simulate whenever I have an appointment or an important surgery. So, as I was saying above, part of our stress is because of our mind…
2. Do you agree that the new job responsibilities that come with a promotion are stressful?
– Normally, new job responsibilities upon promotion are due to the fact that you have more people under your responsibility. As a result, the promoted individual will want to be a good example for them helping them, resolving their problems, among others. Therefore, more stressing inputs will appear on the promoted individuals life.
Excellent job starting with your writing practice.
Take a look at how this sentence can be better expressed:
Keep practicing to continue progressing.
Vocabulary.
1. Chain of command. Respect the chain of command is really important in the army
2. Bout. She felt a bout of anxiety when the police called her informing about her friend´s car accident
3. Compound. He is feeling unwell. His symthomps are a compound of flou and COVID
Remember to use a gerund as a subject of the sentence. So instead of “Respect the chain of command is really important in the army“, it should be “Respecting the chain of command is really important in the army.”
You may also answer the discussion questions in your next entries. Until then!
1. What are some areas that generally cause stress at work? How about areas for you at your job?
There are plenty of reasons that could cause stress at work. Some of the factors that commonly cause work-related stress include job insecurity, heavy workload, tight deadlines, closed-minded bosses,…
Besides those, in my case, I can’t stand unproductive and never-ending meetings.
2. Do you agree that the new job responsibilities that come with a promotion are stressful?
No, I don’t agree. The responsibilities are different and, indeed, include a part of stressful but not necessarily the level of pressure is higher.
3. Why are some people so ambitious that they seek promotions again and again?
People, in general, are different and the causes that move them to get promotions are unique and special as well. Perhaps is the way they have to feel completely realized.
4. Have you ever heard the term “work-life balance?” What do you think it means?
Yes, I have. Nowadays, is a very common term used by human resources departments when they make an interview or they propose it as a social benefit. On the other hand, it’ s important trying to have a good work-life balance but sometimes is pretty tricky.
Interesting thoughts on this topic. Please look at this sentence and the words you can use to improve it:
Yes, I have. Nowadays, is a very common term used by human resources departments when they make an interview or they propose it as a social benefit.
> Yes, I have. Nowadays, it is a very common term used by human resources departments when they do an interview or when they propose it as a social benefit.
Your efforts are much appreciated.