Key Vocabulary

• Benefits: something you get from a company in addition to the money you earn.
• Redundant: without a job because there is no more work available for you. // not same as fire and same as lay off

1. I think it’s important to show who’s in charge.

2. If l were you, I’d just tell him that if he doesn’t calm down he’d lose any benefits he’d get when he’s made redundant.

3. I’m not sure I agree with you on that.

4. I’d say his anger is justified.

5. Ok, but just because it’s justified doesn’t mean it’s appropriate.

6. How do you know he won’t get angry in response?

7. I guess you don’t know, so that’s a fair point!

8. Lillian, what would you do?

9. Suggest that we reschedule this meeting for another day.

10. But What if he refuses?

11. I guess I would try Lillian’s idea of rescheduling first and if that didn’t work, only then would I try something more drastic like threaten to take away his benefits.

12. Only by working hard can you succeed.

13. Only after she died was I able to appreciate her.

14. Only by shouting was he able to make himself heard.

Dialogue

1. Leslie: I think it’s important to show who’s in charge. So I guess if I was the HR manager, I’d just tell him that if he doesn’t calm down he’d lose any benefits he’d get when he’s made redundant.
2. Lillian: Really? I’m not sure I agree with you on that. I mean, if I was being made redundant I’d be pretty unhappy, too.
3. Caleb:yeah,’ d say his anger is justified mean how would- do
4. Leslie: Ok, but just because it’s justified doesn’t mean it’s appropriate. I’ve worked with people like that before. I mean, if his position requires him to deal with customers, do you really want to keep someone who gets angry easily?
5. Caleb: Easily? But, being laid off is a pretty good reason to be angry. Like I was saying, how would you feel if that happened to you?
6. Leslie: Well, unhappy, of course, but my point is that if he’s working with customers and someone gets angry with him, how do you know he won’t get angry in response?
7. Caleb: I guess you don’t know, so that’s a fair point, but I’m really not sure that taking away his benefits is the best answer. Lillian, what would you do?
8. Lillian: I would try to give him time to process the news and calm down.
9. Caleb: How would you do that?
10. Lillian: Suggest that we reschedule this meeting for another day.
11. Leslie: But what if he refuses? Then what would you do?
12. Caleb: Honestly, I’m not sure. I guess I would try Lillian’s idea of rescheduling first and if that didn’t work, only then would try something more drastic like threaten to take away his benefits
13. Leslie: Yeah, that’s probably the best possible plan.
14. Lillian: Hmm…i suppose so. But I still don’t like the idea of making his life harder by taking away his benefits.