4. Staff disputes

procrastinate

–

откладывать со дня на день

A.:

What would you do in a dispute between members of your own staff? Would you intervene at once to resolve the problem?

B.:

Well, that would be proactive, and a positive way to tackle the problem, but is there a risk of blowing it up out of all proportion?

A.:

I suppose you could see if the staff can sort it out themselves.

B.:

Mmm. That could be interpreted as passing the buck.

A.:

But the staff may not want you to interfere, so it could be a wise thing to do. Or maybe wait to see if the problem sorts itself out? Is that sensible or just procrastinating?

B.:

It sounds a bit like burying your head in the sand, as if you’re saying, ‘What problem? I can’t see one’.

A.:

Yeah, maybe.

pet hate

–

a thing you particularly dislike or find annoying

hum

–

sing a tune with your lips closed

A.:

You know, one of my pet hates in the office is when someone creates a paper jam in the photocopier and then leaves it for others to put right.

B.:

Yes, that’s very annoying. Another thing that gets me is colleagues who always seem to be absent when the work piles up and things are really hectic.

A.:

Yes. Or people who neglect their own work in the office but poke their noses into other people’s business.

B.:

Well, something I’m having to deal with at the moment is a colleague who went away on holiday last week but failed to provide any clear handover instructions.

A.:

Oh, that’s very thoughtless. However, the worst thing of all must be my colleague Barry − he constantly hums, whistles, giggles uncontrollably − right next to me!

Giving opinions:

Actually

To tell the truth

If you ask me

I (think, believe, feel) she didn’t do it.

I’m pretty sure

In my opinion

You know, I’m not really sure.

I’d rather not say.

I don’t have anything to say about that.

Giving basic information:

Where does he work?

He works in an office/ a factory / a hospital.

Who does she work for?

She works for a car company / an airline.

What hours does he work?

He’s got a full-time job (40 hours a week) / a part-time job (15 hours a week) / long hours (12 hours a day) / from 9 to 5.

How much does she earn?

She earns a lot. Her salary is $ 88000 a year. / He doesn’t earn very much. He gets low wages.