Tag: Work and Workplace

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The concept that “The Ultimate Productivity Hack is Saying No” emphasizes the strategic importance of setting boundaries and selectively choosing commitments. It underscores the idea that saying no to non-essential tasks, projects, or requests allows individuals to prioritize their time and energy on tasks aligned with their goals. This productivity hack encourages a mindful and intentional approach to workload management, enabling individuals to focus on tasks that truly contribute to their success and well-being.

Read the article below and be ready to answer the questions that follow.

Vocabulary Questions: 

1. What does the phrasal verb “to fall back on” in the sentence, “And it is true: turning down opportunities is easier when you can fall back on the safety net provided by power, money, and authority”. Use it in a sentence. 
2. What does “to strain the relationship” mean in the sentence, “The thought of straining the relationship outweighs the commitment of our time and energy”? Use it in a sentence. 
3. What does the phrase “balance to strike” mean in the sentence, “There is an important balance to strike here”? Use it in your own words. 

Discussion questions: 

1. How often do you find yourself saying “yes” to tasks or commitments without considering their necessity?
2. What strategies could help you become more mindful about your commitments?
3. The article discusses the challenge of saying “no” to people we like or want to support. How can one strike a balance between being empathetic and maintaining productivity in personal and professional relationships?
4. How do you currently prioritize and protect your time, and what improvements could you make in this regard?
5. How can individuals navigate these social expectations without overcommitting? Share personal experiences if applicable.
6. How did you navigate and prioritize tasks to regain control of your time?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

As the weekend draws to an end, many individuals experience “Sunday scaries”, a phenomenon characterized by a sense of unease and dread. Numerous workers all throughout the world feel the same way as they struggle with the upcoming workweek. What ought to be a day of rest and renewal becomes overshadowed by the weight of responsibilities and challenges that await them on Monday morning. Hence, some people are starting to do “bare minimum Mondays”.

Read this article to learn how “bare minimum Mondays” can help with “Sunday scaries”.

https://www.cnbc.com/2023/04/18/bare-minimum-monday-how-it-works-and-what-experts-think-.html

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What is the meaning of “to let someone off the hook”? “So alleviating that pressure and choosing to let myself off the hook was a much needed change of mindset going into the beginning of the week … which suddenly allowed me to be productive again.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘to let someone off the hook’ in your own sentence.
2. What does the expression “to put one’s foot on the gas” mean? “With the volume of work or meetings on our plates, there needs to be a heightened focus on mental health and well-being instead of employees thinking they have to put their foot right on the gas at 9am on Monday.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘to put one’s foot on the gas’ in your own sentence.
3. Define “to keep one’s finger on the pulse”. “One of the most powerful ways to get out in front of this is to keep your finger on the pulse of how employees are doing and what they need.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘to keep one’s finger on the pulse’ in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

1. Do you also experience “Sunday Scaries”? How do you deal with it?
2. Share your thoughts on “bare minimum Mondays”.
3. Do you agree with this statement, “But bare minimum Mondays could lead workers to procrastinate to avoid stress.” Share your opinion on this tendency among workers.
4. Have you ever tried implementing “bare minimum Mondays” in your own life? If so, what was your experience like? If not, what are the reasons you haven’t done so.
5. Are there any potential drawbacks or limitations to adopting the “bare minimum Mondays” approach, and how can individuals mitigate them?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

“Vampire tasks” or those repetitive, tedious tasks at work are slowly draining our productivity across workplaces these days. These distractions disrupt our focus and slow our progress.

From numerous emails to unnecessary meetings, these tasks can appear essential yet contribute nothing to our overall goals. As a result, we become locked in a loop busyness, attempting to complete important work within the turmoil.

Read this article to learn how to deal with vampire tasks and boost productivity.

https://www.cnbc.com/2024/02/08/vampire-tasks-are-killing-your-productivity-at-work-says-workplace-expert.html

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What does “to get bogged down by something” mean? “Cecily Motley, the co-founder of Harriet, an AI-powered workplace assistant, calls these repetitive, tedious activities “vampire tasks” — and warns that getting bogged down by admin work is the number one thing that kills people’s productivity.” Give 1-2 similar expressions and use this phrase in a sentence.
2. Define “timeboxing” in this sentence, “You can time yourself completing different tasks to figure out the duration of each one and build a confident framework for your timeboxing schedule from there.” Give 1-2 similar expressions and use this term in a sentence.
3. What does “counterintuitive” mean? “It might seem counterintuitive, but saying “no” to unnecessary tasks or taking on more work doesn’t just prevent burnout — it can also help you build trust in the workplace.” Give 1-2 similar expression/s and use this word in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

1. How do “vampire tasks” affect your productivity at work?
2. How do you deal with your administrative tasks?
3. How do you communicate with your colleagues or supervisors about the challenges posed by vampire tasks in the workplace?
4. Share your thoughts on this, “The smallest tasks on our to-do lists can often be the most draining.“
5. What steps can individuals take to identify and mitigate the effects of vampire tasks on their productivity?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Rank and yank is a management style where employees are assessed and graded based on their performance and the lowest-performing individuals are let go or moved to different roles each year.

Critics say this is an outdated practice, but some still defend it.

Read the whole article to know more about the topic.

https://www.business.com/articles/the-end-of-rank-and-yank-management-practices-revisited/

Vocabulary Questions

1. What does the idiom “to pull one’s weight” mean in the sentence, “How do you determine which employees are making a valuable contribution to your business and which aren’t pulling their weight?”? Use it in a sentence.
2. What does the idiom “to purge dead wood” mean in the sentence, “The idea behind employee rating systems is to purge dead wood.“? Use it in a sentence.
3. What does the term “to dole out” mean in the sentence, “While a rank-and-yank evaluation sets performance goals and metrics and provides a way to dole out incentives, it also promotes individuals over the team, discourages collaboration and can demoralize underperformers.”? Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions

1. What is your opinion about Jack Welch and his stack ranking system? Do you see him as a good CEO? Why or why not?
2. After reading the pros and cons of the rank and yank management style, are you its defender or detractor? Explain your stance.
3. What recommendations do you have for companies that implement the rank and yank method?
4. Among the rank and yank alternatives mentioned in the article, which one do you think is the most efficient? Explain your answer.
5. What management style does your company use to assess its employees? Do you like it? Why or why not?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Explore the evolving landscape of remote work, examining challenges faced by businesses and employees alike.

Read the article to know the strategies for maintaining team cohesion, enhancing communication, and implementing technology solutions to ensure sustained productivity in the era of flexible work arrangements.

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What does “operational cost” mean? “On the other hand, businesses can benefit from a wider talent pool as geographical barriers are removed, increased employee satisfaction and retention, and potentially reduced operational costs by minimizing office space requirements.” Use it in your own sentence.
2. What does “blur the line between” mean? “Additionally, maintaining work-life boundaries can be challenging when the lines between personal and professional space become blurred.” Use it in your own sentence.
3. What does “a shift in something” mean? “Fuelled by technological advancements and a shift in workplace culture, remote work has become an attractive option for both employees and employers.” Use it in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

1. What are the primary challenges businesses and employees face in transitioning to remote work, and how can organizations effectively address these hurdles to ensure a smooth and successful adaptation?
2. With teams increasingly distributed, what innovative strategies can businesses employ to foster and maintain strong team cohesion, ensuring a sense of connection and collaboration among remote employees?
3. In the virtual work environment, communication is pivotal. What communication tools and practices have proven effective in enhancing collaboration and reducing the communication gaps that often arise in remote teams?
4. How can businesses leverage technology solutions to not only address productivity challenges in remote work but also create an environment that maximizes efficiency and ensures sustained productivity in the long term?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In the dynamic landscape of today’s professional sphere, workplace conflicts are inevitable, requiring leaders to adeptly navigate through the complexities of human interactions.

Please read this comprehensive guide, we delve into five common sources of workplace conflicts, exploring practical methods for resolution and prevention.

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What does “bad actor” mean here, “It sends a message to potential victims it is okay to raise even potentially emotional situations to management and to potential bad actors’ inappropriate behavior is not tolerated.”? Use it in your own sentence.
2. What does “to pin down” mean here, “Unfortunately, discrimination and harassment is a workplace conflict that is often difficult to pin down and is often underreported – especially when it comes to sexual misconduct.”? Use it in your own sentence.
3. What does “to set the tone” mean? “Your leadership style – and attention to employee safety – sets the tone for the company.”? Use it in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

1. In addressing discrimination complaints, why is it crucial for leaders to take complaints seriously, and what message does this convey to both potential victims and potential wrongdoers?
2. When an employee is accused of harassment, what key steps should a leader take to handle the situation objectively and ensure fairness for both the accuser and the accused?
3. With the increase in remote work, communication challenges have become more prevalent. How can leaders effectively address communication mistakes in a way that promotes understanding, prevents tension, and improves future communication within the team?
4. As a leader dealing with clashes in personalities or work styles among team members, what strategies can be employed to encourage diversity and collaboration while resolving conflicts rooted in employee differences?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Mess equals stress. In homes and workplaces, messy areas are unwelcomed and seen negatively. Studies have shown that clutter has negative impacts on people’s mental and physical health. However, a business book is claiming otherwise.

Let’s read the article and find out how mess contributes to efficiency.

https://headsupenglish.com/index.php/upper-intermediate-students/upper-intermediate-news-lessons/upper-intermediate-business-lessons/240-messiness-efficient

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What is the meaning of the word “slob“? “Every office has at least one slob.” Use it in your own sentence and give two synonyms.
2. What does the phrase “organized mess” mean? “Take Karen Jackson, who admits that her desk looks like a disaster area. Yet it’s an organized mess, she says.” Use it in a scenario.
3. What is the meaning of “filed away” in this context? “Filed away papers, on the other hand, usually end up forgotten.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

1. Do you agree with the connection between messiness and efficiency? Support your stand.
2. What are your thoughts on “organized mess”?
3. What is your take on messiness in the workplace? Is it an acceptable practice?
4. How do you keep your workplace organized?
5. How does messiness impact business expense profitability?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Passion is one of the factors people consider when looking for a job. It’s a wonderful thing when your profession matches with your passion. Unfortunately, in certain cases, you will still experience burnout while doing what you enjoy the most.

Read this article to learn about the signs of burnout from a job you love.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/burnout-signs-symptoms_l_5cf143efe4b0e8085e390737

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What does “phone something in” mean in this context? “You now finish the day without a sense of accomplishment and find yourself “phoning in” deadlines.” Make a sentence with this phrase.
2. Define “throw yourself into something”. “Throw yourself into something else where you can feel a sense of progress and mastery and momentum because you’re not having that met at your job.” Use this in a sentence.
3. What is the meaning of “slippery slope“? “This is not just like, ‘Oh, work kind of sucks right now.’ It’s ‘I’m in danger of going down a slippery slope if I don’t take care of this.’” Give two similar expressions and make a sentence with this phrase.

Discussion Questions:

1. Have you ever had a job that was aligned with your passion? Talk about it.
2. Are there instances when you feel emotionally drained even if you enjoy doing your job? Kindly share about it.
3. What challenges might someone have when doing the job they love?
4. Do you find it challenging to recharge even during the weekends or time off? Share about this.
5. How can a person suffering from burnout recover from it?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Instances of bias and unfairness include looking down on individuals, which reflects a judgmental attitude of superiority. Discrimination may also box in people, restricting them to predefined roles, or cutting off opportunities for certain groups. Exclusion is evident when individuals are shut out or deliberately kept from participating, as in cases of religious discrimination. Unfair criticism and disrespect can hold back individuals from reaching their potential, while systemic discrimination may “push out” marginalized communities from economic opportunities. 

Efforts to combat discrimination involve promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion. Legal frameworks, education, awareness campaigns, and social activism play crucial roles in addressing and preventing discrimination. The goal is to create societies where all individuals have equal rights, opportunities, and dignity, regardless of their inherent characteristics.

Key forms of discrimination include:

• Racial Discrimination: Unfair treatment based on race or ethnicity. This can lead to prejudice, stereotypes, and unequal access to opportunities.
  
• Gender Discrimination: Discrimination based on gender, affecting both men and women. It can manifest in unequal pay, limited career opportunities, or social expectations.
  
• Age Discrimination: Unfair treatment based on a person’s age. This is often seen in employment decisions, with older or younger individuals facing discrimination.
  
• Religious Discrimination: Discrimination based on a person’s religious beliefs or practices. This can lead to exclusion, bias, or even persecution.
  
• Sexual Orientation Discrimination: Unfair treatment based on an individual’s sexual orientation, such as being gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender. This can result in social stigma, harassment, or denial of rights.
  
• Disability Discrimination: Discrimination against individuals with disabilities. This can involve barriers to accessibility, unequal opportunities, or negative stereotypes.
  
• Social Class Discrimination: Unfair treatment based on social and economic status. This can result in limited access to education, employment, and healthcare for individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.

Read this article about discrimination, its definition, forms, and where to get help if you are victim of unlawful workplace discrimination.

Be ready to discuss and answer the questions that follow.

https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/introduction-discrimination

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What does the idiom “to take action” mean in the sentence, “If your employer treats you less favourably for an unlawful reason, you may be able to take action.”? Use the phrase in your own words.
2. What does “dismiss” mean in the sentence, “There are also laws which forbid workers from being dismissed or treated less favourably than other workers because they do.“? Give 2 synonyms or similar expressions and use “dismiss” in a sentence.
3. What does the expression “to treat someone less favorably” mean in the sentence, “Direct discrimination happens when an employer treats an employee less favourably than someone else because of one of the above reasons.”? Give 2 synonyms and use ‘to treat someone less favorably’ in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

1. How common is discrimination in the workplace in your society? Why do you think this is the case?
2. What forms of discriminatory behavior in the workplace have you noticed?
3. Are the differences between people a reason to celebrate or a source of problems? Elaborate on your insights.
4. Have you been ever suffered any form of discrimination? What made you feel this way?