G8U2-4 Describing office culture
1 Expressions Giving approximate information
Watch the video and study the language
JOAN: Come in.
TODD:DO you have a minute?
JOAN:Ummm,yes,of course.
JOAN:What's up?
TODD:Well,I went to a doctor yesterday.
JOAN:Oh.I hope there's nothing...
TODD:No,no,no.But I would like to talk about how many hours I'm working.
JOAN:Okay.
TODD:I'm working 65 hours or so a week.My work-life balance,it's uh...Well,I havent's got one.
JOAN:Sixty-five hours a week!That's far too much overtime.I didn't realize it was that much.
TODD:I'm afraid it is.And you're working more or less the same.
JOAN:Yeah,I know.
TODD:And another thing:I haven't had a proper vacation in over a year.
JOAN:Wow.That's too long.And you're allowed around four weeks.
TODD:Yeah.It sometimes feels like I live here.
JOAN:Since the purchase of Sunset Computers,we've all been working overtime just to meet deadlines.
TODD:But is this our office culture now?
JOAN:No.It's not.Look-why don't we schedule a meeting to talk about your next vacation?And also about cutting back your hours.
TODD:Okay.That would be a start.And will you do the same?
JOAN:I'll try.
JOAN:I'll try.I promise.
JONA:Are you free tomorrow around 11?
TODD:Uhhh.no,I have a meeting.
JOAN:How about 2 pm?
TODD:NO.
Giving approximate information
Use these expressions to give approximate information. Notice the position of the expression in each sentence.
I work 50 hours or so a week.
I work 50 hours a week, more or less.
I work around 50 hours a week.
I work approximately 50 hours a week.
I work about 50 hours a week.
I work 50 hours a week, give or take.
Listen to the audio.Move the text to the correct gap.
So, this is my exercise routine. I've been doing it for about a year, and I do it eight times or so a month.
I jog to the gym for 20 minutes, give or take . At the gym, I weightlift approximately 100 pounds around 30 times. After that I swim for 30 minutes, more or less .
2 Reading Office culture
My office is a pretty casual place. There are approximately 25 employees.
Most people work 40 hours a week, give or take.
We are all friends, and we spend time together outside the office.
We go out to dinner or for drinks two times or so a month. We also have two managers.
One is young and relaxed. The other is a little bit older and is stressed out sometimes.
I take about three weeks' vacation each year.
Last year I went to Hawaii with another employee. We had a lot of fun.
3 Reading Describing office culture
Office culture
One way to describe office culture is to talk about the office environment and your colleagues.
The office is very open, with separate meeting rooms.
Everyone has their own cubicle.
There are approximately 50 employees.
Another way is to describe the company culture and the attitude toward social events.
It's a pretty formal work atmosphere.
The office is a pretty casual place.
All employees are expected to wear business attire every day.
People are friendly and do things together outside work.
There are company-organized sports events.
What's it like to work here?
The Sizzlr office is a pretty casual place. There are approximately 25 employees. Most people here work 40 hours a week. We're all friends, and we like to spend time together outside the office. We go out to dinner two times or so a month. There's also the CEO. He's young and relaxed. Then there's the CFO. He's a little bit older and is under lots of pressure, but he still finds time for fun. I get about three weeks' vacation per year. Last year I went to Hawaii with some other colleagues. It was amazing!
4 Writing Responding to questions
Questions about the company
From:
nathan@useremail.com
To: jack.wu@bigcompany.com
Hi, Jack.
I'm really looking forward to joining the team! I have some questions about the company culture at Big Company.
First of all, I'd like to know something about the office environment. Is it an open office? Do people sit in separate offices?
Can you also tell me something about the local area? What restaurants and cafes are around, and what lunch options do we have?
Finally, what's the work-life balance like? Are people overworked? Is it a relaxed company culture or very serious? I want to be prepared!
Thanks!
Nathan
Responding to questions in an email
When responding to questions in an email, you can begin by referring to the questions asked and the answers you've provided.
Thanks for sending me your questions.
I've provided answers to your questions below.
Next, answer the questions in order. Refer to each question specifically.
In answer to your first question, HR deals with the bonus system.
The answer to your question about holidays is that they increase by one day per year.
Addressing your last question, pay is decided by your manager.
To introduce a topic, use phrases like these:
Here are some details about our company culture.
Regarding our contract, it's divided into two sections.
Hi, Nathan.
Thanks for your email. I've provided answers to all of your questions.
The answer to your first question about the environment is that it's a pretty serious work atmosphere. All employees have to wear business attire every day, and everyone has their own cubicle.
Second, here are some details about the local area: The area around the office is great for eating and shopping, and there are plenty of places to have lunch and socialize.
In answer to your final question about work-life balance , most people here work 40 hours a week, more or less. I get about three weeks' vacation each year.
Thanks.
Jack
5 Final Task Company culture
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Questions Email
From:
jessica@useremail.com
To: efstudent@bigcompany.com
Hi, there.
I'm so excited about coming to work at your company! But I have a few questions about the office and the culture before I start.
Please give me some details about the general company culture and the office environment, so I know what to expect when I arrive.
I'd like to know about work-life balance. What are the working hours? Is the atmosphere serious or fun? I'd also like to know about the team. How many people do we have? What about social events? Do employees go out and have fun together?
Thanks!
Jessica
Reply Email
From: efstudent@bigcompany.com
To: jessica@useremail.com
Subject: Your questions about the company
Hi, Jessica.
Thanks for your email. I've provided answers to all of your questions.
The answer to your first question about the environment is that it's a pretty serious work atmosphere. All employees have to wear business attire every day, and everyone has their own cubicle.
In answer to your final question about work-life balance, most people here work 40 hours a week, more or less. I get about three weeks' vacationeach year. And yes, people here do socialize together sometimes. The area around the office is great for eating and shopping, and there are plenty of places to have lunch.
See you soon!
Jessica
