Tag: work

Nepotism in the Workplace

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Nepotism is defined as the act of providing or receiving opportunities due to a family relationship or friendship. Dealing with this practice in the workplace can be tough, especially if you’re the one on the short end of the stick. Therefore, dealing with it professionally and personally is a must for anyone who experiences it.

Peruse today’s text to learn new insights and ways of handling nepotism at work.

https://www.inhersight.com/blog/insight-commentary/nepotism-at-work?_n=68250395#

Discussion Questions:

  1. How prevalent is nepotism in your country?
  2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of nepotism?
  3. On the whole, is nepotism more good or bad?
  4. Cite some examples of nepotism that you observe in your workplace.
  5. Can you give other ways to deal with nepotism in the workplace?

Take Someone Under Your Wing

B1 – Intermediate

When someone needs your guidance on something, you help them. In a way, you are like their protector. You guide them to let them learn something that they need to know about.

When you join a new company, you are going to have a training and then have a coach or mentor to help you start with your tasks. Your coach/mentor has to take you under their wing during this time.

Listen to the audio and know about the expression “take someone under your wing”.

youtu.be/qToUpkUXXHQ?si=fIThrP1DpWoKWBu0

Discussion Questions:

  1. What does ‘take someone under your wing’ mean?
  2. Have you taken someone under your wing before? If yes, Why did you do so?
  3. Speak about your experience being taken under someone’s wing.
  4. In your opinion, does taking someone under your wing come with a lot of responsibilities?

Being Breadcrumbed At Work

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Breadcrumbing refers to leaving small pieces of bread for someone. It’s what happens when you lead someone on. It’s when your company gives you “just enough” to string you along. You can tell when you are being breadcrumbed when your manager gives hints about new projects, pay increase or promotions that may – or may not – ever happen.

Read the article below and learn more about breadcrumbing at work.

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20190723-how-to-tell-if-youre-being-breadcrumbed-at-work

Discussion Questions:

  1. Have you ever been breadcrumbed at work? Who did it to you and why do you think they did that? How did it affect you?
  2. What can an employee do so that they won’t be lead on/strung along?
  3. What do you think are reasons employers employ such practice?

Telling Women to Smile in the Workplace

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Smile is the best asset one can have. And why not? It costs nothing and radiates happiness, confidence, and health. It’s contagious and can attract another person to do the same.

But in a recent poll, women are discovered to feel discriminated against by how they are treated in the workplace when they are commanded to smile.

Read the article below and find out how this simple comment can affect their work performance.

https://www.inc.com/marcel-schwantes/a-new-study-reveals-that-telling-women-they-need-to-smile-more-is-bad-for-business-heres-why.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. How do you feel when you are told to smile?
  2. Why do you think men, unlike women, are rarely or not asked to smile?
  3. How does your boss create or stimulate a positive working environment?
  4. Can you think of other microaggressions in the/your workplace?

Meeting Recovery Syndrome

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Too many work meetings sap one’s brain’s ability to the point that it prevents them from performing their actual job efficiently.

Read the article and find out more about MRS and its effects on employees and corporations.

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20191111-blame-your-worthless-workdays-on-meeting-recovery-syndrome

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is MRS and what are its effects on workers and companies alike?
  2. How can MRS be prevented?
  3. Talk about your own work meetings and how you view having too many meetings in one workday?
  4. Generally, what’s your stance on work meetings?
  5. Talk about the most important and the worst work meeting you’ve ever attended.

Preventing “Cyberloafing” in the Workplace

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Do you work hard in the office, or do you instead watch internet videos, browse through your social media feeds or shop online?

Read the article and find out how companies might put into effect policies to help stop this behavior in the workplace.

https://www.ehstoday.com/safety/get-back-work-how-prevent-cyberloafing-workplace

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are ways to prevent cyberloafing? Any ideas you have on how to fend off cyberloafing in your own workplace?
  2. Do you cyberloaf? If yes, when and why do you normally do it? If not, why is that?
  3. What are other things that make employees lose time during work hours?
  4. How do you manage your time at work?
  5. Do you consider it acceptable to spend work time on social media sites, managing finances, etc.?

The Best Companies to Work For

B1 – Intermediate

A new report ranked companies to find out the best places to work in. It considered workers’ satisfaction with their jobs. Google was on top of this list.

Read more about pay and benefits in companies.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/1405/140527-pay-benefit-package-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of the benefits of Google employees?
  2. What are the best companies to work for in your country?
  3. If you were happy working for a company, would you go on holiday less?
  4. What are the important benefits you want to receive from the company you are working for?
  5. What are the good and bad things about your company?

Mental Health in the Workplace

B2 – Upper Intermediate

A large number of workers suffer from mental health issues at work. Life becomes very complicated for those who struggle with mental health problems.

Listen to the podcast and find out more about the topic of mental health and learn some things people can do to help and cause change.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english/ep-191114

Discussion Questions:

  1. What can be done to raise awareness of mental health issues in the workplace?
  2. What are the effects of it on people’s lives?
  3. How is mental health treated in your workplace?
  4. What are things your company is doing to address its employees’ mental health needs?
  5. What are your thoughts on mental health leaves?

Glasses Ban for Women at Work

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In Japan, news of several companies banning the wearing of glasses among female employees made rounds recently.

This has become a controversial issue in the country as reports say that female employees have been told by their employers to stop wearing them.

Read the article to find out more about this eyewear ban among women in Japan.

https://www.bbc.com/news/business-50342714

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on forbidding women to wear glasses at their workplace?
  2. Do you think this ban is sexist? Why or why not?
  3. What might good things about wearing and not wearing glasses?

Internship – Exploitation or Experience?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

College students need to find the balance between work, friends, family, and academic deadlines. With all these overwhelming tasks and pressure, the significance of having a substantial internship experience can be overlooked.

Let’s listen to the podcast and find out more about internship, its significance, and the issues surrounding it.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english/ep-191017

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is an internship? Did you have an internship as a college student?
  2. How important is an internship?
  3. What is your opinion on the unpaid nature of internship programs? Do you think it is fair to work for free?