Business English vocabulary exercises
Working hours 2 Learn more of the vocabulary to talk about working hours in English: part-time = to work a part of the day or week When I was a student, I had a part-time job in a bar. We are looking for a part-time receptionist to work mornings. to be punctual = to start or arrive at…
In English, we use a lot of phrasal verbs. These are verbs with more than one part; the verb and one or two particles. Let’s continue looking at some of the most common in the area of Human Resources: ‘get on’ = to have a good relationship I don’t like my boss. We just don’t get…
Learn the most common phrasal verbs used in Human Resources in English: ‘close down’ = to shut We have closed down the small local branches and created bigger regional offices. The factory closed down in the 1970’s because it was too expensive to produce here. ‘fight against’ = to make an effort to stop something happening All…
Learn the vocabulary to talk about being absent from jobs in English: to take time off = to be absent from work, at home or on vacation. I’m going to take a few days off to visit my parents. I’m taking Monday off to go to the dentist and do some jobs at home. to take…
Learn the vocabulary in English to talk about the many changes that take place in a company or organization : ‘to promote’ = to move someone up to a higher position in the organization. He handed his notice in last month when he didn’t get promoted to senior manager. She wants to be promoted to supervisor…
Learn the vocabulary to talk about working hours in English: to work overtime = to do more than the usual hours required by the contract We aren’t paid when we work overtime, we can take time off in lieu. We had to work overtime to get the project finished on time. to work shifts = to work…
Let’s continue learning vocabulary to talk about getting or changing jobs in English: Applying for a job may mean filling out an ‘application form‘ giving your personal details. If you are interested in the job, could you fill out this application form, please? I have completed the application form for that job and sent it…
Learn the vocabulary to talk about getting or changing jobs in English: If there is ‘a vacancy’, there is a job available because a new post has been created or a person has left. Larry’s move to London has created a vacancy in Marketing if you are interested. We don’t have any vacancies at the moment…
The top people in a company can be called ‘senior management’. We need to get approval for this from senior management.With my qualifications and experience, I should have a job in senior management. Of course, another term for this is ‘top management’. He rose quickly through the company and had a top management position before he was…
Learn the vocabulary in English to talk about job contracts: A ‘binding contract’ is one which cannot be legally avoided or stopped.We have a legally binding contract and you must supply us with these services. You can’t walk out on your binding contract just because you have received a better offer elsewhere. An ‘exclusive contract’ is one which prevents…
Learn the vocabulary in English to talk about the evolution of your jobs since you began working: If your ‘career has its ups and downs’ , it has good moments and bad moments. My career has had its ups and downs but I’m doing very well at the moment. His career has its ups and downs but…
If you ‘hire’ someone, you employ them. We hired him on a six month contract. I hear that they are not hiring people at the moment because of budget problems. If you ‘fire’ somebody, you dismiss them from their job, usually because of something they did. I had to fire Sally because she kept on making mistakes. If you…
If you ‘apply for’ a job, you ask a company for a job. I’ve applied for six jobs in the last week and haven’t heard back from any of them. We were expecting a lot of people to apply for the job but not as many as this If you ‘are out of’ a job, you do not have…
A ‘salary’ is the money you are paid, usually monthly, for doing a job, usually non-manual. I get a good salary but I need more money. What sort of salary are they offering? A ‘competitive salary’ is a good one for that particular job. We are offering a very competitive salary so we should get good applicants. We are…
More vocabulary on the important topic of money. This time, we look at what you receive when you are unable to work in a typical country within the European Union: When you are ill and unable to work, you may claim statutory sick pay. This is the minimum by law. If you have a work contract,…
More vocabulary on the important topic of money: ‘commission’ is paid to people in sales based on the amounts of goods sold. Working here I get paid a fixed salary and commission based on my sales. I get paid a commission on the deals I negotiate. People who are ‘hourly paid’ are paid a fixed rate for each…
We all go to work to earn money. Let’s look at more vocabulary to talk about our salaries: ‘gross salary’ is the salary before anything is deducted for contributions and tax. Her gross salary is £50 000 but obviously she takes home considerably less than that. He earns £40 000 a year gross. ‘net salary’ is the…
‘Pay’ is money that you get from your employer, either as a wage or as a salary. What are the pay and conditions for the job? Pay rates in the industry are very poor. ‘Back pay’ is money owed to you by your employer for work done in the past which has not yet been paid. I’m…
If you ‘hire’ someone, you employ them. We hired him on a six month contract. I hear that they are not hiring people at the moment because of budget problems. If you ‘fire’ somebody, you dismiss them from their job, usually because of something they did. I had to fire Sally because she kept on making mistakes. If you…
TRANSCRIPT Welcome to part 8 of our business planning series – Human resources. The management and personnel area of your plan will review staff functions, job descriptions, policies, workforce planning and training. Recruiting the right staff can be an expensive exercise and one you can’t afford to get wrong. Finding the right staff requires you…
Learn the vocabulary in English to talk about the many changes that take place in a company or organization : ‘to streamline’ = to improve the effectiveness of parts of an organization, often by simplifying procedures. We are streamlining the procedure to cut the time it takes to deliver to the customer. Streamlining administration and giving…