Tag: work

B2 – Upper Intermediate

We’ve all heard of “quiet quitting”, in which an employed person does the barest minimum in order to keep their job. And now there’s a great deal of discussion about “quiet firing” and it is currently making waves.

Is it, however, a new concept? Do you or someone you care about have this problem?

Read the article about how some bosses quietly nudge their employees out.

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20221021-the-bosses-who-silently-nudge-out-workers

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What does “ marginalize ” mean? Use this word in a sentence.
2. What does “nudge out” mean in this sentence,” An employee subtly nudged out the door isn’t without legal recourse, either.”? Use this word in a sentence.
3. What does “rejection” mean? Mention some alternative words for this one.

Discussion Questions:

1. What are some common signs of quiet firing?
2. Is quiet firing a constructive dismissal? Elaborate.
3. How do you deal with unfair firing?
4. How would you manage a boss who is not willing to bring the conversation of termination forward?
5. Do you or someone you care about struggle with this issue? Share about it.

B2 – Upper Intermediate

There are employees who decide to have some good times to ease themselves from a long-day of working.

Most of them plan for team building activities or have after-work drinks.

However, what if an employee does not join in any of these activities? Is it right to fire him for being ‘boring’?

Read this article to know about this issue.

https://au.finance.yahoo.com/news/man-wins-4600-after-being-fired-for-not-being-fun-004904815.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAIwXIqeja7zEhXhAKd_8qFJhQW_LMvh0oa44QDeXJbapTEdK9MdknWo0aiyDFoidpLnY1ifxfvGKaI6N7Khs535gId76brNT1YtT2y2Zg1fMcZWa1ufqS-BcxUPM2-apOh1A9sDq4L0Pleq0Ids-7nNmRWW38zE1bJ_G2-xX4wqd

Discussion Questions:

1. Do you think that it was only right to fire Mr. T for being boring? Explain.
2. Will you consider your co-worker as “boring” when he/she does not join in team building activities? Explain.
3. What do you think of the team building activities in your company?
4. What do you think about going out for drinks every week with co-workers? Is it a good idea?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Once the trial is over, Britons need not wait for Friday anymore. If employees start their work week on Monday, the last day of work is Thursday.

If it sounds interesting, read the full article below.

https://www.optimistdaily.com/2022/09/britains-four-day-workweek-trial-shows-no-loss-in-productivity/

Vocabulary Questions:

1. Give 2 synonyms of the word “expansive“, “More than 3,300 employees in Britain’s banking, marketing, health care, financial services, retail, hospitality, and other industries are participating in the trial, making it one of the most expansive studies to date. Use them in your own sentences.
2. What does the expression “to give rise to” mean, “However, the rise of remote and hybrid labor due to the coronavirus epidemic gives rise to questions regarding other areas of employment.”? Use this expression in your own sentence.
3. What does the phrase “to lag behind” mean, “That said, some critics express concern about increased expenses and decreased competitiveness, especially since many European businesses lag behind competitors in other countries.”? Use it in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

1. How does the article make you feel?
2. In your opinion, is it necessary to work for five days? Why or why not?
3. What is the relationship between productivity and shorter work week?
4. Is the concept of a four-day work week suitable in your country? Explain your answer.
5. If people will only work for four days, how can they better spend the remaining three days?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

What are the familiar dream careers that your buddies tell you about when you were young? Probably, “I want to be a movie star!” or “I would like to become a doctor so that I can help other people! “

You frequently hear advice to be realistic and choose a profession that pays well from parents, relatives, and sometimes even from complete strangers. Some friends and accomplished individuals may on the other hand, advise you that following your passion is the secret to success.
Naturally, you will be confused and worried over whether you ought to pick a different profession that you have no interest in simply because it appears favorable for your future or follow your heart’s desire blindly with such little possibility of earning money from it. Having a career you’re enthusiastic about is wonderful! However, some employees are abandoning their dream jobs in constant search of security and stability.

Now the question is, how do you determine when it’s not worthwhile to follow a career you’re passionate about and when to take a different (financially wiser) path?

To learn more, check out the following article.

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20221010-the-workers-leaving-their-dream-jobs

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What does “omnipresent” mean, “These days, more than ever, the idea that happiness and success are linked to working in a ‘cool’ job – a role you’re passionate about in an interesting, envy-inducing workplace – is omnipresent.“? Use it in your own sentence.
2. What does the expression “to put up with” mean, “Employees who love their job or really value their work are willing to put up with harsher conditions than others, such as non-standard working hours or low pay.“? Use it in your own sentence.
3. In your own words, explain “passion trap“. “Now 31, free from hospitality, on a rapidly rising wage and finally well rested, Andrew’s keen to coach others out of the ‘passion trap’ he found himself in.” Use it in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

1. What might be reasons people would quit their dream jobs?
2. Would you walk away from a job that you are passionate about for stability and security? Why or why not?
3. What job do you aspire to have and what are your absolute non-negotiables when it comes to work? Are there any jobs you would refuse to do, regardless of the pay? Why?
4. What advice would you give someone who is in a job where they are feeling overworked, underappreciated, and underpaid?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

‘Ghosting’ was first used in the dating scene to describe an abrupt, unexpected halt to all contacts. This societal concept is quickly catching on in the workplace and both parties are guilty of committing the crime.

You might be surprised to learn that ghosting is becoming more pervasive. Additionally, ghosting is not solely done by employees. Employers are also guilty of abandoning prospects as the talent acquisition process moves forward, even while an offer is being made.

Understand why employees and employers are ghosting one another by going through the article.

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20220311-why-workers-and-employers-are-ghosting-each-other

Discussion Questions:

1. Share your thoughts on this work issue.
2. How can we end the trend of ‘quiet firing’ and ‘quiet quitting’?
3. Why do employers ghost job applicants?
4. Is it illegal to ghost your job? Why or why not?
5. Is ghosting an employer profitable in the long term? Explain.
6. What are the available alternatives to ghosting?