Tag: Work and Workplace

India’s Luxury Fashion Industry

B1 – Intermediate

The world of luxury fashion is synonymous with high-end style and craftsmanship, often associated with European heritage. However, there is a lesser-known side to this glamorous industry. Behind the scenes, India plays a crucial role in the creation of many luxury garments.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about India’s luxury fashion industry.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/indias-luxury-fashion-industry-level-3/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “lack of transparency” mean? “ This lack of transparency has raised questions about the ethics of the fashion industry.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does “finishing touch” mean? “One example is a jacket that retails for 43,000 Euros and underwent over 2,000 hours of embroidery work in India; however, it received less than 100 hours of finishing touches in Europe, despite bearing a ‘Made in France’ label.” Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does “to build on something” mean? “However, it remains a complex issue in an industry built on exploitation and secrecy.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How do you feel about the idea that many luxury fashion brands manufacture their products in countries like India, but often label them as being made in Europe? Elaborate.
  2. What are the reasons luxury fashion brands choose to produce their goods in countries with lower labor costs like India rather than in their home countries?
  3. Are you willing to pay a premium for a luxury fashion item even if you know it was made in a country with lower labor costs, or does the “Made in” label matter to you? Explain.
  4. How do you think the COVID-19 pandemic may have impacted the luxury fashion industry and its reliance on global manufacturing?

Store Staff Get Body Cameras for Protection

B1 – Intermediate

A new security measure has been rolled out for Tesco workers in the UK following the rise in violent attacks on its staff recently. The company has invested tens of millions of pounds in four years on different security measures such as door access systems, protection screens etc.

Let’s read the article and know more about this new protective measure Tesco has for its staff.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2309/230907-supermarket-workers.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is the meaning of the verb “punch“? “More and more staff are being punched or threatened with knives by angry people.” Use it in your own sentence.
  2. Define the word “assault“.”A spokesperson said the number of physical assaults on its workers has risen by a third in a year.” Use it in a sentence and give two synonyms.
  3. What does the word “scourge” mean in this context? “Crime is a scourge on society, and an insult to shoppers and [shop] workers.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why are Tesco workers offered to wear body cameras?
  2. According to the article, why are supermarket staff being attacked in the UK?
  3. What security measures do supermarkets in your country have for its workers?
  4. What do you think of body cameras as a means to protect supermarket employees from possible attacks?
  5. Share your thoughts on this, “Attacks on supermarket staff are a sign that Britain is “broken”.“.
  6. What are some safety and security measures at your job?

Love Languages at Work

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The idea of “Love Languages” has become well-known in the context of personal relationships because of its profound influence on understanding and expressing love. However, these languages’ impact doesn’t end at the threshold of our homes.

Surprisingly, they are just as important in the larger picture of our professional lives. Knowing and understanding your individual “Love Language” at work can be an empowering discovery that greatly enhances your interpersonal interactions, productivity, and level of job satisfaction.

Click on a provided link to learn more about ‘Love Languages’ in the workplace and understand how it can be a powerful tool for building stronger relationships with colleagues, superiors, and subordinates.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/love-languages-exist-at-work-heres-how-to-figure-out-yours_l_651eec6be4b09ff8b7dad12f

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “missing the mark” mean in the sentence, “If a leader or colleague only uses words for showing appreciation, they’re likely missing the mark for over half of their team members.”? Use this expression in your own sentence.
  2. What does “to be big into something” mean in the sentence, “If they’re big into pickleball, get a group fund going for a highly-rated paddle they’d otherwise probably pass up because of the price tag.”? Use this expression in your own sentence.
  3. What does “to take an action item off someone’s plate” mean in the sentence, “What can I do to help this person or take an action item off their plate?”? Use this in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the languages of appreciation in the workplace?
  2. How can identifying your workplace ‘Love Language’ enhance your relationships with colleagues and superiors?
  3. How might a better understanding of ‘Love Languages’ contribute to increased job satisfaction and overall well-being in a professional environment? Please share.
  4. In what ways does acknowledging and valuing employees’ efforts impact overall productivity and morale? Tell me more.
  5. In your experience, what are some of the most effective ways to express gratitude in the workplace? Please share.

Employee Resource Groups

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In the fast-paced setting of modern corporate culture, the worth of professional experience can be overshadowed by a greater emphasis on youth and innovation. A quiet revolution, however, is taking place in a few select companies across the United States, where a fresh point of view is becoming apparent. These progressive business organizations are cognizant of the wealth of knowledge, skill, and perspective that middle-aged and senior employees can contribute to the company. They have made a brave move by creating committed Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) intended particularly for this group in an environment where such appreciation can be hard to find.

Click on the link to learn more about how these groups are not only remarkable, but also a prime example of the significant impact that inclusivity and valuing diversity of age can have on a company’s success and advancement.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/age-erg-employee-resource_l_65144e33e4b0fa72d69d630f

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “entrenched” mean, “Ageist stereotypes are deeply entrenched in society: Older age still gets automatically associated with physical and cognitive decline at work.”? Use this in your own sentence.
  2. What does “umbrella company” mean in the sentence, “Since then, Sages has grown into a business resource group within the umbrella company of Publicis Groupe; it has over 300 members.”? Use this in your own sentence.
  3. What does “sandwich generation” mean in the sentence, “Tom Hamrick, the group’s president, said what separates his ERG from others at the company is that members are part of the “sandwich generation”.”? Use this in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What motivated these companies to establish dedicated Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) for middle-aged and senior employees?
  2. How do these ERGs differ from more traditional diversity and inclusion initiatives within these companies?
  3. Can you provide examples of specific programs or activities that these ERGs organize to support midlife and senior employees? Please share.
  4. What benefits have these companies observed as a result of creating spaces that value the contributions of older employees? Expand on that.
  5. What challenges, if any, have these companies encountered in establishing and maintaining these specialized ERGs? Tell me more.
  6. Share your thoughts on this, “Being older at work is still seen as something to hide.”..

Company’s Booth for Vertical Napping

B1 – Intermediate

In Japan, it is common to see people catnapping on trains or in their workplace during working hours. This is mainly due to the country’s long work hours. Recently, a Hokkaido-based company came up with a novel product to promote napping and space-efficiency.

Let’s read the article and know more about this vertical napping booths.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2309/230925-vertical-napping-4.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the phrase “a sign of something” mean? “It’s time to break the stereotype that nodding off on the job is a sign of boredom or laziness.” Use it in your own sentence.
  2. What is the meaning of the word “ingenuity“? “Napping reduces drowsiness and improves ingenuity and creativeness.” Use it in a sentence and give two synonyms.
  3. Define the idiom “to catch forty winks“. “Office workers can now catch forty winks without a bed.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is the Giraffenap pod and what makes it special?
  2. Give your opinion about Giraffenap.
  3. In your opinion, is vertical sleeping a good idea? Why or why not?
  4. Do you agree or disagree that a 20-minute nap is beneficial? Why or why not?
  5. Should companies motivate the workers to stop for a rest in the middle of their workday? Why or why?

Hard and Soft Skills to Place Your Bets On

B2 – Upper Intermediate

We all need to upskill because nowadays, recruiters pay attention not only to our hard skills, but also our soft skills.

Read the article to know the top skills you’ll need to get your desired job and to know the differences between hard and soft skills.


https://www.siliconrepublic.com/careers/skills-for-2021-hard-soft-zety

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. Explain the meaning of the idiom “to place one’s bet on someone/something“. “What are the hard and soft skills to place your bets on this year?” Use it in a sentence.
  2. What is the meaning of the word “upheaval“? “Again, these soft skills have become crucial to working life in the upheaval of 2020.” Use it in a sentence.
  3. Differentiate “soft skills” and “hard skills”. “Recruiters and hiring managers showed a preference for soft skills over hard skills, with 61pc of respondents saying they were more important.” Use them in sentences.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your top 3 hard and soft skills that you most often use at work?
  2. What are some hard and soft skills that you lack? How do you intend to gain them?
  3. What is one skill you have that sets you apart from others?
  4. Recruiters and hiring managers think soft skills are more important and they prefer people with better soft skills than with a lot of hard skills. What are your thoughts on this?
  5. Why are soft skills important in one’s career?

Being Unhappy at Work

B2 – Upper Intermediate

It is a fact that most of us dedicate majority of our time to working.

So, it is rather imperative that we make sure that we hold a job that does not bring us sorrow.

Being happy at our work is so much more than high compensation and great benefits.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about being happy at work.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2023/ep-230817

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to be on one’s feet” mean? “When I waitressed in cafes I was on my feet ten hours a day – it was exhausting!” Use this idiom in your own sentence.
  2. Define “presenteeism”. “In the work that we’ve done within the construction industry, we have trialled what we would call an ‘output-based’ way of working, which means we shift away from this sense of presenteeism.” Use this word in a sentence.
  3. What does “to breathe down one’s neck” mean, “The pressure to work quickly means you might have your boss breathing down your neck.”? Use this idiom in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What makes a workplace horrible? On the other hand, what is a good job/workplace?
  2. What should someone do if they had a terrible job/workplace? Give them some pieces of advice on how to handle this ordeal.
  3. Share your thoughts on shifting away from presenteeism and instead, heading toward an output-based way of working.
  4. What’s the worst job you’ve ever held? How did you go through with it?
  5. How can burnout be prevented?
  6. According to a Forbes magazine survey done in the UK, being a call center agent is voted the worst job. What is your reaction to this?

Hey Hanging Is the Rudest Workplace Behavior

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Digital workplaces such as Google Workplace or Slack have become even more sought-after workplaces since the pandemic due to their digital workstyle nature.

Chat messages are often hard to decipher because you don’t know the tone of the sender. Reading a chat without context may cause you to overthink or be anxious. Subtle nuances in the digital workplace can have a significant influence on the overall atmosphere and dynamics. One such nuanced behavior is “Hey hanging”.

Read this article to learn about how “Hey hanging” induces anxiety in the workplace.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/hey-hanging-work-chat_l_64c9387ae4b0fd06594dd491

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. Define “right off the bat”. “To avoid any awkward pauses, it’s better just to explain what you need right off the bat.” Use this phrase in a sentence.
  2. What does “out of the blue” mean? “If you’ve never chatted with the person before, a “hey” out of the blue can leave you second-guessing yourself, too.” Make a sentence with this phrase.
  3. What does “tailspin” mean? “When a colleague replies to a paragraph-long question with a one-letter “k” on Slack, it can send us into an anxious tailspin, worried the sender is mad at us.” Use this word in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on “Hey hanging”?
  2. What impact does a “hey” message without a follow-up or with a pause have on individuals, particularly when it comes from a manager?
  3. Have you personally experienced a situation where a sudden “hey” message in a digital workspace led to misinterpretation or heightened anxiety? How did you handle it?
  4. Can you provide alternative greetings or messages for a positive digital tone and reduced anxiety?
  5. How do clarity and context ease concerns with short messages like “hey” in digital work settings?

The End of Hustle Culture

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Hustle culture has been quite popular among the working class. However, some believe that this long-glorified culture may be coming to an end. This kind of culture has a huge impact on people’s work-life balance and mental well-being. As the world becomes more competitive, the pressure to constantly hustle intensifies.

Read this article to learn more about hustle culture.

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20230417-hustle-culture-is-this-the-end-of-rise-and-grind

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is a “go-getter“? “…this is the way go-getters get what they want.” Use this in a sentence.
  2. What does “fair shot” mean? “Everyone has a fair shot at success.” Make a sentence with this phrase.
  3. Define “coupled with“. “And because that time was coupled with the stress of financial uncertainty, experts say some people came to find hustle culture more exhausting than empowering.” Use this phrase in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on hustle culture?
  2. How does hustle culture impact work-life balance and individuals’ well-being?
  3. Have you ever experienced burnout or exhaustion due to adopting a “rise and grind” mentality?
  4. How do you prioritize work-life balance while still striving for success in your career?
  5. Have you ever felt pressure to conform to hustle culture from your peers or workplace?

The Quiet Guilt of Self-Employment

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The idea of working for oneself has become more and more fashionable in recent years due to the fact that it gives individuals the independence, flexibility, and the potential to embark on what interests them.

While working for yourself can be rewarding, there are obstacles to overcome. Despite the frequently idealized perception of being one’s own boss, many self-employed people carry a quiet guilt.

Explore the multifaceted emotions that freelance employees experience, the causes of their guilt, and any possible impacts on their overall health by clicking the link.

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20230614-the-quiet-guilt-of-self-employment

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “it’s much easier said than done” mean in the sentence, “Unfortunately for the self-employed, some of these workers report it’s much easier said than done – and can be a catalyst for burnout.”? Use this expression in your own sentence.
  2. What does “billable hours” mean in the sentence, “It’s also turned me into a workaholic, who squeezes in billable hours on the weekends, and pushes my bedtime to cross one more thing off the to-do list.”? Use this in your own sentence.
  3. What does “ to be pronounced” mean in the sentence, “A 35-year-old self-employed graphic designer in the US state of North Carolina, says the guilt is most pronounced when she’s doing something enjoyable.”? Use this in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are some effective strategies for managing and overcoming the guilt associated with self-employment? Tell me more.
  2. How can self-employed individuals combat the feelings of isolation and loneliness that often accompany their chosen career path? Please share.
  3. What are the biggest advantages and disadvantages you have experienced in your self-employment journey?
  4. Have you faced any specific societal or cultural challenges or judgments as a self-employed person, and how have you navigated them? Please share.
  5. What advice would you give to someone considering self-employment as a career path?