6. A) Find in the article words and phrases which mean the same as:

a relax

b queues of cars and lorries unable to move forward

c benefits not included in your salary

d people who can’t stop working

e out of date and no longer useful

f informal exchange of news and information

g start

h trying got make people work harder

b) Complete the sentences with the words from a).

1 As I have to travel so much I miss out on all the office _______.

2 When I get home, I like to ______ by listening by some classical music with a glass of wine.

3 My boss is a complete ______. She just doesn’t know how to relax and turn off.

4 It’s better to have a higher salary than _____ like a company car or free meals.

5 The problem with buying a computer is that in a couple of years it’s ______.

6 I find it difficult to ______ the accounts and usually leave them until the last minute.

7 I leave home very early to avoid getting caught in _______ on the way to work.

8 _______ is part of any manager’s job.

c) Are the sentences in b) true for you? If not, change them so that they are.

Pay

Vocabulary through the context

Wages, salary and benefits

Compensation 1

Compensation 2

Compensation is also used to talk about money and other benefits that a senior manager (or any employee) receives if they are forced to leave the organization, perhaps after a boardroom row. This money is in the form of a compensation payment, or severance payment. If the manager also receives benefits, the payment and the benefits form a severance package.

In Britain, executives with very high pay and good benefits may be referred to as fat cats, implying that they do not deserve this level of remuneration.

1. Xavier and Yvonne are talking about Xavier's new job as a photocopier salesman. Complete the conversation, using words from a opposite.

1 X: I get paid every month.

Y: I see. You get a salary , not wages.

2 X: 1 usually have to work late: I don't get paid for it, but I get a percentage for every photocopier I sell.

Y So you don't get............................but you do get............................That's good.

3 X: The people in production get a...........................if they reach their targets.

Y: Oh right. They get an extra payment for producing a certain amount.

4 X: The company pays for medical treatment too. and the company restaurant is fantastic.

Y: Wow! The......................................................sound very nice.

5 X: And they've given me a ......................................................to go and visit clients.

Y: So you don't have to buy a car, then.

6 X: What's more, the company pays in money for us to get when we don't work any more.

Y: Yes, it's important to get a good............................

7 X: The total......................................................is brilliant.

Y: Yes, all that extra stuff is really worth having.