Tag: Work and Workplace

Sensitivity Readers

B1 – Intermediate

Roald Dahl and Ian Fleming are famous authors. Roald Dahl wrote “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” and Ian Fleming, the “James Bond” novels. Their novels are classics. 

However, many things have changed in our society since these books were written more than 50 years ago. Language that were considered acceptable then, might be offensive now.

So, some classic novels have to be edited by what we call “sensitivity readers”. Publishing companies let “sensitivity readers” check for words that might not be politically-correct now.

Read the article on sensitivity readers.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2303/230302-sensitivity-readers.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does ”upset” mean here, ”They are worried that language in older books might upset people today, especially children.”? Give two synonyms of the word ‘upset’ and use it in your own sentence.
  2. What does the expression “belong to another time” mean, “A lot of the language they check belongs to another time.” Use this idiom in your own sentence.
  3. What does “character” mean, “The recent edits of the James Bond books are because of insensitive language about black characters and women.” Use this word in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why are sensitivity readers important?
  2. What do you think of the job of sensitivity readers?
  3. Should classic novels be edited to be politically-correct? Why/why not?
  4. How would you feel reading a book that contains language that might be considered offensive now?
  5. Name one classic book that you read. Were there parts that you thought were offensive?

The Billion-Dollar eSports Industry

B2 – Upper Intermediate

More and more teenagers now prefer playing computer games to doing traditional sports. For them, it would be a dream job if they could play video games for a living.

Watch the video to know more about the billion-dollar eSports industry.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the phrase “on the cusp” mean, “We haven’t really had our biggest victory yet, but we are really on the cusp of it and I’m certain there we’re going to have it very soon.“? Use it in your own sentence.
  2. What does “fit for a king” mean, “When they’re not on the road, most American teams go back to Los Angeles, the unofficial home of eSports in the US, where their franchises pay for them to live in mansions fit for [a] king.“? Use this idiom in your own sentence.
  3. What does the idiom “rise (up) through the ranks” mean, “I would describe it like we’re playing like the NBA or something and you rise up through the ranks.”? Use this expression in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of eSports?
  2. What can you say about how professional egamers’ life was presented in the video?
  3. The popularity of games at times even surpasses the popularity of traditional sports. Do you see this as a problem? Explain.
  4. Do you agree that perseverance is very important in eSports? Is it true about every sport?
  5. What might be reasons parents don’t support their children getting involved in egaming?
  6. Is it possible to become a successful gamer even if you haven’t started at an early age? Explain.
  7. Why do you think the life of a pro gamer requires discipline?

Tip Culture Reaches Tipping Point

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Tip culture refers to the custom of leaving a gratuity or “tip” for service workers in certain countries, particularly in the United States. It is customary to leave a tip for a variety of service providers, such as servers in restaurants, bartenders, hairdressers, and taxi or ride-share drivers, among others.

Tipping culture in the United States can be controversial. Some people argue that tipping culture is out of control and places an undue burden on consumers, while others believe that tipping is an important way to ensure that service workers are fairly compensated for their work.

Watch the video to learn more about it and be able to discuss the questions below:

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the phrase “tipping point” mean? “The pressure to tip has reached its tipping point.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does the word “tab” mean in this sentence, “Patrons often feel guilted into adding a few bucks to the tab.”? Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does the phrase “strike back” mean, “Some service workers are striking back.” Make one sentence using the phrase.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you give tips or have you given tips before? Is tipping customary in you country? What do you think of tipping?
  2. What are your thoughts on pre-set tipping options?
  3. What is your reaction to delivery people waiting for orders to pile up for those people who do not tip upfront?
  4. What is your opinion that some service workers are taking into account whether you tip or not upfront and that could impact the quality of their service?
  5. Do you agree with what the etiquette experts say about tipping? Why or why not? Explain your answer.
  6. Which workers do you think should be given tips? Explain why.

Turn Mundane Task into Meaningful Work

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Mundane tasks are those uninteresting and unexciting duties that we all have to do. Despite appearing insignificant, they can accumulate and leave us feeling tired and demotivated.

In the office, there are several mundane tasks that people have to perform, such as making photocopies, filing papers, or cleaning up their desks. While these tasks may not be enjoyable, they are crucial for maintaining smooth operation in the workplace.

Needless to say, mundane tasks can be discouraging, but they are necessary evil.

For more tips on how to make these tasks more manageable and enjoyable, check out the full article.

https://www.lifehack.org/925751/mundane-tasks

Vocabulary Questions

  1. What does the idiom “sweep something under the rug” mean in the sentence “Just because we don’t like something, doesn’t mean we get to sweep it under the rug.”? Use it in a sentence. 
  2. What is the meaning of the phrase “to rack one’s brain” in the sentence, “I would rack my brain for ways to turn dull, boring games into high-octane ones”? Explain your understanding of this phrase and use it in a sentence.
  3. What does the idiom “fit the bill” mean, “Mundane tasks are often things we don’t want to do, so they fit the bill.” Use it in another sentence.

Discussion Questions:

1. What are some benefits of completing mundane tasks?

2. How do you think breaking a task down into smaller parts help with productivity? 

3. What advice does the author give for making mundane tasks more enjoyable? 

4. What are some mundane tasks that you find particularly challenging or unpleasant, and how do you usually approach it? 

5. In what ways can technology assist with completing mundane tasks?

6. Does doing what you don’t want to do first work for you? Why or why not?

Influential People You Should Befriend At Work

B2 – Upper Intermediate

According to experts, if you generate the patronage of mediators, socialites, and other high profile people, you will move ahead in your career.
And to get ahead of the curve in your profession, performing your specific task is not enough. Additionally, you must establish competencies in interacting with your fellow employees. Popularity can be attributed to whoever holds the most prominent role. To elevate your career, you must acquire the ability to discern who has authority in a room.

To learn more, follow the link and read the full article.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/influential-people-work_l_63f7b2ace4b04ff5b488c1e7

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “top of mind” mean, “They are often top of mind for professional opportunities inside and outside of the organization and are likely to be well networked themselves.“? Use this expression in your own sentence.
  2. What does “a hard/bitter pill to swallow” mean, “They hate to give you a hard pill to swallow, but you don’t have documentational evidence, so we can’t do anything about it.”? Use this idiom in a sentence.
  3. What does “to climb [up] the company/corporate ladder” mean, “Politicians understand that doing the job alone is not enough to climb the company ladder.”? Use this phrase in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you agree or disagree to this statement: “To get ahead in your career, it’s not enough do your job. You also need to learn how to manage relationships with your co-workers.”. Explain your perspective.
  2. Do you think managers should be friends with their subordinates? Why? Why not?
  3. What are the advantages and pitfalls of the connection that exists between employers and staff members?
  4. Do you feel at ease making friends with the prominent individuals at work? Why? Why not?
  5. What kind of people are you friends at work? Why is this?

Rage Applying

B2 – Upper Intermediate

There’s no denying that everyone gets stressed with their job one way or another. There are lots of contributing factors as to why employees get sick and tired of their jobs. On the contrary, people are using this very stress they get from work to move to greener pastures.

Read the article to learn about rage applying and how it can possibly benefit employees.

https://www.cnbc.com/2023/01/25/is-rage-applying-the-new-quiet-quitting-heres-what-experts-say.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to be fed up with someone/something” mean in the sentence, “She was fed up with her job.? Use it in your own sentence.
  2. What does “jump from the frying pan into the fire” mean here, “You have the potential to jump from the frying pan into the fire.“? Use this idiom in your own sentence.
  3. What does “telltale” mean here, “A tell-tale sign of rage applying is when candidates pursue about a dozen different jobs.“? Use this word in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion on rage applying?
  2. In your opinion, what are the reasons some workers are rage applying?
  3. What are the pros and cons of rage applying?
  4. Do you consider your job stressful? If yes, what are your coping mechanisms?
  5. Have you done rage applying? If yes, why? If not, would you consider doing it?

Stay Positive at Work

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Having a positive mindset at work is beneficial. It can improve one’s mood, boost confidence, help focus on future goals, and thereby, increase productivity in the workplace. By maintaining a positive outlook, one can focus on areas of improvement rather than work challenges. Make daily tasks at work enjoyable as positivity can influence not only you but also your co-workers.

Watch the video to explore how you start incorporating more positivity in your work life.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the idiom “cut someone some slack” mean? “Cutting yourself some slack will be an aid in finding motivation to learn and grow from your mistakes.” Use it in your own sentence.
  2. Give 1-2 synonyms of the “drawback“. Use them in sentences. “If you focus on the drawbacks of your role, it’s going to seem impossible to stay positive at work.“
  3. What is the meaning of the phrase “to reap the rewards of something“? “Use these strategies to reap the rewards of staying positive at work.” Use this idiom in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What’s your attitude towards your work? Are you usually positive or the opposite? Why or why not?
  2. How do you stay positive and motivated to get things done at work?
  3. Which strategies mentioned in the video that you think are helpful in your work life?

Fair Scheduling Boost Sales and Employee Well-being

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In many cases, employees who work in retail establishments have to deal with unpredictable work schedules. Studies show that such scheduling affects both workers and companies negatively.

Discover how fair scheduling practices improve employee well-being and retail sales.

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

https://www.optimistdaily.com/2022/06/fair-scheduling-practices-boost-retail-sales-and-employee-well-being/

Vocabulary Questions:

1. How do you understand the phrase “to make ends meet”? Use it in a sentence.

This intense variation in work time can often lead to retail employees not making ends meet. 

2. What does the phrase “ebb and flow” mean in the sentence below?

Sophisticated algorithms designed by operations management researchers are used to schedule workers to match the ebb and flow of customer traffic.  

3. Define “clopening“. What comes to your mind when you hear this word?

Discussion Questions:

1. Do you know anyone who works in a retail store? What kind of timetable does this shop follow?

2. Consider the reasons for unpredictable work schedules in many retail establishments. Do you see it happening in your country?

3. According to the article, 19 Gap stores in Chicago and San Francisco increased sales after adopting responsible scheduling practices. What are your thoughts on this?

4. Talk about your work schedule. Are you satisfied? If not, what would you like to change?

Flashy New Job Titles

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The world of work has been changing a lot over the years. One of the new changes is the invention of ambiguous job titles such as ‘chief visionary officer’, ‘Wizard of Light Bulb Moments’, or ‘Problem Wrangler’. The trend is taking off because employers want to make the job titles sound beefier.

However, employees or job seekers need to be cautious because even though these fancy-sounding job titles may seem enticing, they don’t come with no downsides.

Read the article about what the problem with inventing flashy new job titles is. Be ready to answer the questions that follow.

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20230104-inventing-new-job-titles

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the expression “to put someone/something on the back foot” mean? “It can also put candidates on the back foot if hiring managers do reach them.” Use this idiom in your own sentence.
  2. Give 1-2 synonym/s of the word “succinct”. “They’re succinct and clear, communicating essential employee details such as job function and seniority.” Use this word in your own sentences.
  3. What does “entrenched” mean? “However, although job titles may be fairly entrenched in industries like law and finance, they are evolving in many other industries, especially creative ones.” Use it in your own sentence. 

Discussion Questions:

  1. Have you ever come across beefy job titles? Cite some examples. 
  2. Do you think this new trend makes humdrum jobs seem more appealing? Share your thoughts. 
  3. What might be reasons arbitrary job titles are being invented? What are its dangers?
  4. Do you prefer a succinct and clear or an ambiguous and bespoke job title? Explain your choice.
  5. Invent a flashy new job title for your current job.

No-Vacation Nation

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Working for approximately 260 days a year without going on vacation once a year could lead to burnout. Hence, taking days or weeks off work to relax is definitely a must for employees. However, not everyone has the privilege to go on vacation.

Read this article to learn about the no-vacation nation.

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20141106-the-no-vacation-nation

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the expression “to run thin” mean? “I can definitely feel it when I need a vacation because my patience and tolerance for our guests runs thin,” said the career bartender.” Use this word in a sentence.
  2. What is the meaning of “buck” here, “”While some companies in the US do buck the no-vacation nation trend, offering more generous time off to employees, or even requiring staff to take days off, congressmen are among the few Americans granted a number of days off on par with virtually every other advanced economy.”? Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does “to take (on) the mantle” mean? “Every now and then, a legislator in the US will champion the cause of guaranteed paid time off. Florida Congressman Alan Grayson has taken that mantle several times.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of this certain work culture?
  2. Why are some workers becoming vacation-phobic?
  3. Do you agree that American workers should have as much vacation time as Europeans? Express your thoughts.
  4. How much vacation do you have each year from work? Do you think it’s a fair amount?
  5. What would you do if your boss asked you to take more (or less) vacation time?