Staff disputes

Vocabulary

blow sth (up) out of (all) proportion make sth more serious than it is;

intervine in sth get involved in a situation in order to help;

pass the buck make sb else deal with sth that you should deal with;

prudent wise, sensible;

resolve sth find an acceptable solution to a problem

sort sth out deal with a problem successfully;

We recently had a dispute between two employees who wouldn't work together. I could see the problem wasn't going to 1.________ itself out; I realized that if I didn't 2._________ and sort it 3._________, I'd be accused of passing the 4._________. However, I didn't want to 5.________ it up out of all 6._________, so I just had a quiet word with them. It turned out to be a 7.________decision, because the problem was 8._______ quite quickly.

B. Study the vocabulary and complete the text.

Office problems

Vocabulary

absence the fact of being away from a place where they are usually expected to be;

giggle laugh in a silly way when you are embarrassed amused or nervous;

handover the act of making sb else responsible for sth;

hectic very busy;

neglect sth not do sth, or not give enough attention to sth;

photocopier a machine that makes copies of documents, etc. by photographing them;

pile up become larger in quantity or amount;

poke your nose in sth become involved in sth that doesn’t concern you;

My colleague Barbara had a month off recently; she left very specific 1.________ instructions for her colleague Doug, so that after such a long 2._________, she wouldn't come back to find a mountain of work had 3.________. However, Doug's pretty lazy and he 4.________ to do the things she asked him to. He also 5.________his own work and spent most of the time standing round the 6.________gossiping, or 7.________ his nose into other people's business or just 8.________ at Mark's silly jokes. Barbara's back now, furious with Doug, and, with all the work we have to do, life is as 9.________ as ever. I don't think Doug will have his job much longer.

C. Read the text and answer the following questions.

Stress at work

Vocabulary

handle управлять

lessen уменьшать

manifestation проявление

reduce ослабить

feel unwind расслабиться

workload рабочая нагрузка

Workplace stress, with its physical manifestations, is one of the major reasons people miss work. Experts suggest five ways to help lessen the physical effects of stress at work.

Exercise: Make time to get some exercise at least three times a week. This will not only reduce stress, but it can also help you be more productive at work.

Eat right: Have small meals frequently to keep your energy level up.

Get enough rest: Stress tires you out mentally and physically. If you don't sleep enough, you may get sick more easily.

Meditate: If you have a hard time settling down at the end of the day, try meditating. Close your eyes, take in slow, deep breaths, and release. You will feel unwind.

Socialize: Schedule some social time. Just talking with friends for a few minutes in the middle of the day can help you relax and feel better.

If you follow these tips, you are sure to feel less stress at work. However, if you are given more work than you can handle, even these solutions may fail. If you feel a high level of stress at work, talk to your supervisor. Perhaps you can reach an agreement about changing your timetable or lessening your workload.

1. What is the main idea of this article?

О a. the difficulty of workplace stress

О b. how to decrease workplace stress

О с. having good health

2. What can meditation help you do?

О a. look younger

О b. be social

О с. relax after work

3. According to the article, which activity could help reduce workplace stress?

О a. having lunch with a friend

О b. eating a big dinner

О с. watching your favourite TV programme

4. Which statement would the author agree with?

О a. Good health lessens stress.

О b. Most people who feel stress at work are managers.

О с. Stress can help you be productive at work.

5. If following the five suggestions does not work, what should you try to do?

О a. change your work timetable

О b. find a new job

О с. stop socializing with friends

D. Make a short summary of the texts A, B and C.