Eight Situations: At Work

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Situation 1: 1. You overhear a conversation in your place of work. Which of the following is true? A. The woman is the owner of the company. B. The woman is the man superior. C. The man is the woman’s closest colleague. C. Come in. A. You wanted to see me? Have a seat, Brian. A. Thank you. Hm. I have been looking at your figures for the last trimester. Oh. It’s not very good. I know. It’s 50% below your target. 50%? Really? Yes. I’m afraid so. I thought it was more like 40. No. It’s 50%. I...well... What are you going to do about it? Well, you see, I meant to see you about it myself. I’m glad we’re...I’m glad you called me in this morning. The thing is, you see, the market is just not moving. It’s up to us to make it move. I know, but I don’t think anyone from the sales team achieved their targets last trimester. I know that, too. I’m seeing each and every one of you today, and tomorrow noon we’re going to have a strategy meeting, and I expect proposals from each sales executive. We’re going to solve this. All right. All right. Yes. Come in. You wanted to see me? Have a seat, Brian. Thank you. Hmm. I...I have been looking at your figures for the last trimester. Oh. It’s not very good. I...I know. It’s 50% below your target. 50%? Really? Yes. I’m afraid so. I thought it was more like 40. No. It’s 50%. I...well... What are you going to do about it? Well, you see, I meant to see you about it myself. I’m glad we’re...I’m glad you called me in this morning. The thing is, you see, the market is just not moving. It’s up to us to make it move. I know, but I don’t think anyone from the sales team achieved their targets last trimester. I know that, too. I’m seeing each and every one of you today, and tomorrow noon we’re going to have a strategy meeting, and I expect proposals from each sales executive. We’re going to solve this. All right. All right. Yes.

Situation 2: Two. You are listening to a news report. According to the news report, British employees, A, like their jobs to have variety, B, are reluctant to have children, C, don’t like fixed schedules. We’ll be decided at a later date. And finally, when it comes to employee perks, most people don’t care for company cars or free gym memberships. They would rather have flexible working hours. A survey of 4,000 people for the Department of Trade and Industry has found that nearly half would choose flexible hours as the benefit they would most look for in their next job. But surprisingly, the preference is even stronger among those with children under the age of six. Only 10% would prefer a company car and 7% of free gym membership. One-third said they would rather have the option of working flexibly than receive £1,000 a year more pay. The DTI hopes the research will act as a wake-up call to employers, raising awareness of new family-friendly employment rights to be introduced on the 6th of April. The new regulations will be decided at a later date. And finally, when it comes to employee perks, most people don’t care for company cars or free gym memberships. They would rather have flexible working hours. A survey of 4,000 people for the Department of Trade and Industry has found that nearly half would choose flexible hours as the benefit they would most look for in their next job. Not surprisingly, the preference is even stronger among those with children under the age of six. Only 10% would prefer a company car and 7% of free gym membership. One-third said they would rather have the option of working flexibly than receive £1,000 a year more pay. The DTI hopes the research will act as a wake-up call to employers, raising awareness of new family-friendly employment rights to be introduced on the 6th of April. The new regulations.

Situation 3: 3. You hear an advertisement on the radio. The advertisement’s purpose is to, A. Get more young people to learn music. B. Attract musicians to a type of holiday. C. Recruit various young musicians. Are you a musician aged between 18 and 25? Now there is a unique opportunity for you to start being rewarded for the years of effort you have invested in learning your instrument. Aster Hospitality are looking for young pianists, guitarists, drummers, bassists, saxophonists and trumpet players to staff their in-house hotel bands across southern Europe. We offer free accommodation and meals, a choice of temporary or permanent contracts, various perks and benefits and, most importantly, the opportunity to meet and play with other musicians. So what are you waiting for? If you are a young musician, call us now on 0978 656 900 and find out more. Are you a musician aged between 18 and 25? Now there is a unique opportunity for you to start being rewarded for the years of effort you have invested in learning your instrument. Aster Hospitality are looking for young pianists, guitarists, drummers, bassists, saxophonists and trumpet players to staff their in-house hotel bands across southern Europe. We offer free accommodation and meals, a choice of temporary or permanent contracts, various perks and benefits and, most importantly, the opportunity to meet and play with other musicians. So what are you waiting for? If you are a young musician, call us now on 0978 656 900 and find out more.

Situation 4: 4. You are listening to a live radio broadcast. What is the occasion? A. It will be new year in a few minutes. B. Chelsea FC have won a match. C. London has a new mayor. We now go back to Steve Hensch in London. Steve, how are things there? Well, Bob, it is getting really crowded here in Trafalgar Square. I would say that at least 5,000 people have arrived since 1130. It is all very spirited and cheerful. The crowd are really enjoying the concert and they are all singing and dancing together. Celebrities keep turning up. The mayor of London took his seat in the VIP box about 10 minutes ago and he was shortly after joined by the Chelsea FC chairman. It is now 8 minutes to 12. The weather is good. It is a bit cold but the sky is clear and the firework display schedule for midnight is bound to be quite spectacular. Elton John is about to leave the stage now and it is... We now go back to Steve Hensch in London. Steve, how are things there? Well, Bob, it is getting really crowded here in Trafalgar Square. I would say that at least 5,000 people have arrived since 1130. It is all very spirited and cheerful. The crowd are really enjoying the concert and they are all singing and dancing together. Celebrities keep turning up. The mayor of London took his seat in the VIP box about 10 minutes ago and he was shortly after joined by the Chelsea FC chairman. It is now 8 minutes to 12. The weather is good. It is a bit cold but the sky is clear and the firework display schedule for midnight is bound to be quite spectacular. Elton John is about to leave the stage now and it’s...

Situation 5: 5. You hear a woman talking on her mobile phone. How does she feel? A. Confused and upset. B. Stressed and angry. C. Disappointed and sad. Good morning. I have no idea why there is nobody to pick up the phone at 9 o’clock in the morning. But when you Lord do decide to get to work, could Vera or Dave look through the Hobson file? Take out the last three orders we placed with them and fax the lot to... hang on... right... 0036227298455. Please do this immediately when you get in. I’m already on the premises and I’m seeing them in 30 minutes. Oh and guys, if this goes wrong because you couldn’t be bothered to turn up for work on time this morning, I give you my word that heads will roll. Good morning. I’ve no idea why there’s nobody to pick up the phone at 9 o’clock in the morning. But when you Lord do decide to get to work, could Vera or Dave look through the Hobson file? Take out the last three orders we placed with them and fax the lot to... hang on... right... 0036227298455. Please do this immediately when you get in. I’m already on the premises and I’m seeing them in 30 minutes. Oh and guys, if this goes wrong because you couldn’t be bothered to turn up for work on time this morning, I give you my word that heads will roll.

Situation 6: 6. You are listening to a speech. Where is it being given? A. At a meeting? B. At a ceremony? C. At a company party. Since 1991, the annual Optimus Awards have been a source of ideas, direction and inspiration for professionals in all fields of business. The awards promote and celebrate success at solving some of our biggest business challenges of our time. Optimus Award winners have helped open new markets around the world, reinvent administration, cut bureaucracy and business dealings, take healthcare to rural Britain and revitalize failing business units. Not surprisingly, Optimus Award winners have pushed their organizations to record profits, greater market share, higher stock value and better reputations. In short, they have produced business results. But I think it’s now time to announce this year’s Optimus Award winner. Could I have the envelope please? Since 1991, the annual Optimus Awards have been a source of ideas, direction and inspiration for professionals in all fields of business. The awards promote and celebrate success at solving some of our biggest business challenges of our time. Optimus Award winners have helped open new markets around the world, reinvent administration, cut bureaucracy and business dealings, take healthcare to rural Britain and revitalize failing business units. Not surprisingly, Optimus Award winners have pushed their organizations to record profits, greater market share, higher stock value and better reputations. In short, they have produced business results. But I think it’s now time to announce this year’s Optimus Award winner. Could I have the envelope please?

Situation 7: Seven. You are present at a job interview. What is the girl’s level of education? A. High school graduate. B. Degree holder. C. Postgraduate degree holder. So, Helen, you’re a C++ programmer. That’s right. Tell me a little bit about your experience. Well, I got interested in programming while I was still at high school. But I first worked with the language when I went to university. A Manchester, right? That’s right. Manchester University. I enjoyed working in C++ and I decided that I would do all my programming work in that language whenever the syllabus allowed it. Then, after graduation, I went to work for an IT company in the U.S. for a year. What company was that? Nat Feed Communications. I.C. Go on. And then I returned to Britain. I thought I might do a postgraduate course. But I think I’d like to get a job more. I.C. So, Helen, you’re a C++ programmer. That’s right. Tell me a little bit about your experience. Well, I got interested in programming while I was still at high school. But I first worked with the language when I went to university. A Manchester, right? That’s right. Manchester University. I enjoyed working in C++ and I decided that I would do all my programming work in that language whenever the syllabus allowed it. Then, after graduation, I went to work for an IT company in the U.S. for a year. What company was that? Nat Feed Communications. I.C. Go on. And then I returned to Britain. I thought I might do a postgraduate course. But I think I’d like to get a job more. I.C. A.C. A.C. You’re here to have your neighbours talking.

Situation 8: You hear two of your neighbours talking. What does the woman think of working from home? What does the woman think of working from home? A.C. It can be irritating. B. It has made her less social. C. It has some advantages. So, how are things going now you’re working from home? Well, it’s got his pros and cons. I don’t have to commute, which means I don’t get stressed trying to get there every morning and I save money because I eat lunch at home. And of course, I can make my own schedule. You lucky thing. I wish I could have a more flexible schedule. So what’s the downside? Well, neighbours and friends keep popping in for a cup of tea because they know I’m here all day. I don’t think they believe I still have things to do. Sometimes I have to practically kick them out. Oh, I’m not keeping you from working right now, am I? No, no. So, how are things going now you’re working from home? Well, it’s got his pros and cons. I don’t have to commute, which means I don’t get stressed trying to get there every morning and I save money because I eat lunch at home. And of course, I can make my own schedule. You lucky thing. I wish I could have a more flexible schedule. So what’s the downside? Well, neighbours and friends keep popping in for a cup of tea because they know I’m here all day. I don’t think they believe I still have things to do. Sometimes I have to practically kick them out. Oh, I’m not keeping you from working right now, am I? No, no.