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 the workers fought against the closure but the plant was no longer profitable.
The unions have been fighting against the proposed changes as they think it will mean job losses.

‘go back on something’ = to change an agreement

We had come to an agreement but now she has gone back on it.
The company promised to review the situation but went back on its word and didn’t.

‘put back’ = to postpone, delay in time

They promised to make a decision today but it has been put back until next week.
My visit has been put back until a later date when it will be easier to plan.

‘fall behind’ = not risen as fast as, fail to do something as fast as required

We have fallen behind schedule. It won’t be completed on time.
Our salaries have fallen behind the national average with the small increase we have had.

‘turn down’ = to refuse, not accept

We offered a two per cent increase but it was turned down.
We offered him a much higher salary but he turned it down and didn’t join our team.

‘fill in for someone’ = to replace someone during an absence

I need to brief the person who will be filling in for me while I am on maternity.
I filled in for Jamie while he was on holiday.

‘back someone up’ = to support or to help

Whenever there is a dispute with someone in my team, my manager always backs me up.
Nobody backed him up when he said he had been discriminated against.

‘work out’ = to calculate

‘drag on’ = to last a long time, go on longer than anticipated