Tag: Work and Workplace

Night Shift Work

Due to the boom of 24-hour services, there has been a high demand for night shift work. This allows businesses to deliver their services uninterrupted.

Some people adapt well to working late. However, this work setup can be difficult for many. It affects a person’s health because of the unusual working hours.

Listen to the audio and the transcript at the link for more information on night shift work.

https://www.esleschool.com/night-shift-work/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the good and bad things about working at night? What are some bad effects of night work on our health?
  2. Why do people work at night?
  3. What time of the day are you most productive? Why do you think that is?
  4. Do you like 24-hour supermarkets or mini grocers? Why or why not?
  5. How many hours of sleep do you need each night? Do you like taking naps in the afternoon?
  6. What was the longest time where you haven’t had any sleep? How was the experience?
  7. How do you think it would be like for you if you worked the nights?

Life in the Modern Office

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Work offices are critical to productivity, collaboration, and innovation. We probably spend more than one-third of our lives at the work office. However, the pandemic has introduced dramatic changes in our work culture.

Let’s listen to the audio and read transcript below about life in the modern office.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2022/ep-220505

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on hot-desking?
  2. How would you describe your workplace? How about your own work desk/space?
  3. What is your favorite and least favorite thing about your workplace?
  4. How has the Coronavirus pandemic changed your workplace?
  5. What do you think is the worst thing about working in an office?
  6.  Share your thoughts on this statement, “It’s important to have a workplace that’s safe, comfortable, and familiar”.

Upskilling and the Future of Work

B2 – Upper Intermediate

If you haven’t noticed, the world as we know it is changing ever so fast. No one is spared from keeping up with the times. No employee remains indispensable.

For one to stay competitive in their industry and relevant in the workplace, there is a  compelling need to be honing or discovering new skill sets. 

Read the article below about the importance of upskilling.

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20220412-what-upskilling-means-for-the-future-of-work

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why is upskilling important?
  2. Does your company offer training sessions on various subjects and do you normally sign up for them? What is the most significant skill have you acquired so far?
  3. Is this statement true in your industry or kind of job: “the skills required in the workforce are changing fast”? Explain.
  4. What are ways you get yourself ahead of the curve professionally?
  5. What other hard and soft skills do you wish to acquire and why?

Companies’ Business Model: Supporting and Rewarding Employees

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Any perceptive company would be wise enough to put their money on their employees’ mental health and overall wellness to ensure they remain motivated and feeling supported. 

Read the article below about some companies that support and reward their employees.

https://www.inc.com/graham-winfrey/best-workplaces-editors-list-2022.html?cid=sf01002

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you agree that “companies should be invested in their employees’ success, no matter the cost”? Explain.
  2. Which perk/s mentioned in the article do you also want to get?
  3. What are things your company invest in when it comes to its employees’ wellness?
  4. In what other ways do you think your company supports its employees?
  5. Where is the best place you’ve ever worked in and why?

The End of Retirement

B2 – Upper Intermediate

It is essential to perceive that retirement is a man-made process, not a step backwards or an indispensable moment in time. But given all the changes in time, retirement might not be how we perceive it anymore.

Have you contemplated on what you’re going to do after you retire from your job? Is it globe trotting? Are you spending time at home or do nothing and simply relax? Gardening? Or simply having a good time with your grandkids? Should you run your own business instead?
Is there so much more to do? What exactly would your retirement years be like?

To find out more, let’s take a moment to read the full article.

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20220526-is-this-the-end-of-retirement-as-we-know-it

Discussion Questions:

  1. How has retirement changed over the years? Is this happening in your country as well?
  2. What do you think of the tendency for “people to expect and need to work past traditional retirement age”?
  3. How do you picture your retirement in your head?
  4. Do you think people who retire miss working? Why or why not?
  5. What’s the best age for retirement and why?
  6. In what ways do you think retirement might be gleeful?
  7. In what ways do you think retirement might be stressful?

The Interview

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Oftentimes, we are faced with the challenge of working with a person or a group with totally opposing views or personalities whether at work or in other circumstances in life. This may cause tension and perhaps also a lot of pressure, but it may also be the push that some need to work or perform better. Working alone sounds like a great idea, but you also have to be flexible to work in pairs or teams should need arises.

Watch the video to see how this new assignment was handled.

https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/lets-learn-english-level-2-lesson-2/3960471.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What does it mean to be a team player? What are the qualities of a good team player?
  2. Does your department have team projects? How does each member contribute? How does the leader manage the team?
  3. How does your company support employees’ leveling up on skills and knowledge?
  4. What soft skills do you want to hone?
  5. How do you ace an interview?
  6. What are the skills needed to be a good interviewer?
  7. Share some of your memorable interview experiences.

The People Penalized for Expressing Feelings at Work

B2 – Upper Intermediate

How we convey ourselves in the organization is kept in check by implicit ’emotional laws.’ Interestingly, not all sentimental outbursts are evaluated evenly.

According to one study, ‘feeling rules’ are administered differently depending on ethnic and gender identity.

Let us read the full text to find out more about the gender gap regarding these so-called “feeling rules”.

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20211029-the-people-penalised-for-expressing-feelings-at-work

Discussion Questions:

  1. How do you deal with emotional outbursts at work?
  2. Who is responsible for emotional outbursts at work?
  3. What is your personal view on getting punished at work for expressing one’s emotions?
  4. How can this gap be bridged?
  5. Do you think that these unspoken “feeling rules” exist in the companies that you have worked for? Talk about some instances where they were displayed.

Fortune Tellers Work Online

B1 – Intermediate

Fortune telling is a curious thing. Many people try it out just to see how it works, while others fully believe in the power of these predictions. Others are also very vocal about this practice as being a hoax. Despite these opposing views, a lot still seek them out as a way to secure their future.

In Thailand, people became innovative when the pandemic hit. They found a way to still avail of fortune-telling services even with limited movement.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about online fortune-telling services.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/fortune-tellers-work-online-level-2/

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you believe in fortune telling? Why or why not?
  2. How popular is fortune telling in your culture?
  3. Why do some people trust fortune tellers?
  4. How has fortune telling affected people’s decisions in positive or negative ways?
  5. What are some jobs that have resorted to online platforms due to the pandemic?

Managing Conflict in the Workplace

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Conflict can happen anywhere. Even more so in a competitive environment such as the workplace. It could stem from different employee backgrounds and personalities. When left unresolved, it could lead to more serious problems at work.

Let’s listen to the podcast about managing conflict in the workplace.

https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/business-english/podcasts-for-professionals/managing-conflict

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are common causes of workplace conflict?
  2. Have you ever experienced or witnessed workplace conflict? How was it resolved?
  3. How can workplace conflict be avoided?
  4. In your company, what are the conflict management strategies being implemented when workplace tension arises?
  5. How is good, constructive working atmosphere achieved/maintained in your workplace?

The Sky-High Cost of Returning to the Office

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The pandemic enforced the idea of working from home for a huge number of companies. Many have realized that this setup is possible for their roles and have gotten used to it. However, with eased restrictions, companies are now requiring most of their employees to return to the office.

The transition back to the old ways has not been so easy. The increasing prices of fares, petrol, food, and clothing, which are related to an employee’s daily work-related activities, have placed a burden on their finances. Even with salary increases, these were still inadequate to meet their spending demands.

Read this article below to learn more about the impact of transitioning back to the office.

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20220420-the-sky-high-cost-of-returning-to-the-office

Discussion Questions:

1. What was your work setup before and during the pandemic?
2. What is your current work setup?
3. What would be a preferable alternative work setup for your current role?
4. What are the pros and cons of working from home?
5. What are the pros and cons of working in the office?
6. Has your company introduced a hybrid work setup? What would that be like?
7. What are some work-related costs you shell out daily and monthly?
8. How else can companies help employees with the transition and these increasing work-related costs?