“Conversation Starter Lesson Series: Intermediate” is designed for intermediate-level ESL learners who want to improve their fluency and confidence in speaking English.
Each lesson includes an engaging reading material with audio, vocabulary and expressions, comprehension questions, and discussion questions to be used for one to one class, group class, or self-study for both online and offline classes.
Unit 5: Work and Career
Story 05: Common Problems in the Workplace
Key Lesson Vocabulary & Expressions: Look over and review before proceeding.
- Complaints
- Conflicts
- Interrupting
- Job description
- Burnout
- Detrimental
- Comes up
- Disengagement
- Concerns
- Addressing
Read or Listen to the following passage:
As an HR manager, I hear a lot of complaints and concerns from employees. One common problem that comes up is conflicts with coworkers. For example, I once had an employee come to me with concerns about a coworker who was constantly interrupting them during meetings and not letting them finish their thoughts. This was causing a lot of frustration and making it difficult for the employee to do their job effectively.
Another common complaint is about workloads and feeling overwhelmed. Employees may feel like they have too much on their plate or are being given tasks that are outside their job description. This can lead to stress and burnout, which can be detrimental to their health and wellbeing.
Another issue that comes up frequently is poor communication. Employees may feel like they’re not getting enough information about changes in the company or that their opinions and feedback aren’t being heard. This can lead to feelings of disconnect and disengagement from the company.
Overall, as an HR manager, I try to listen carefully to these concerns and work with employees and management to find solutions that work for everyone. By addressing these common problems and complaints, we can create a better work environment for everyone.
Comprehension Questions:
- What is one common problem that employees have at work?
- Can you give an example of a conflict between coworkers?
- How do workloads and feeling overwhelmed affect employee health?
- What is the impact of poor communication in the workplace?
- How does addressing common problems and complaints help to create a better work environment?
Conversations Starters:
- What are some common complaints that employees have about their workplaces?
- Have you ever experienced any of these common complaints in your workplace? How did you handle the situation?
- Do you think it’s important for employers to address complaints and problems in the workplace? Why or why not?
- What are some of the consequences of not addressing complaints and problems in the workplace?
- How do you think employers can foster a positive work environment that minimizes complaints and problems?
- What are some strategies for dealing with conflict between coworkers?
- How do you think employees can effectively communicate their concerns to their employers?
- Have you ever felt overwhelmed by your workload? What did you do to manage the situation?
- What are some ways that employers can support their employees’ mental and emotional health?
- What advice would you give to someone who is experiencing problems or complaints in their workplace?
