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Business Word/Phrase of the Day

word-phrase-descEvery day we publish a business word or phrase together with audio pronunciation, phonetics, definition and example sentences. This is a great way to improve your workplace vocabulary as well as your pronunciation. To receive 'Business Word/Phrase of the Day' by email, just subscribe to our newsletter from the link above. 

BLUE-COLLAR WORKER  

03 Sep 2012

phrase

  • someone who does work needing strength or physical skill rather than office work
Example Sentences:Pittsburg is a steel town, mainly populated by blue-collar workers.
Blue-collar workers tend to earn much less than skilled professionals.
 

TEMPORARY WORKER /ˈtem.pər.ər.i ˈwɜː.kər/

02 Sep 2012

phrase

  • Employee who is not permanently hired but hired just for a limited period of time
Example Sentences:During the peak season, the hotel employs a number of temporary workers.
As a temporary worker, I’m not entitled to the same benefits as the permanent workers.
 

PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL /pəˈfɔː.mənt s əˈpreɪ.zəl/

01 Sep 2012

noun phrase

  • when an employee meets with their manager or employer to discuss their progress, aims and needs at work
Example Sentences:I’m really worried about my performance appraisal tomorrow.
My performance appraisal was much better than I expected.
 

JOB DESCRIPTION /dʒɒb dɪˈskrɪp.ʃən/

31 Aug 2012

noun

  • a list of the responsibilities which you have and the duties which you are expected to perform in your work
Example Sentences:Have you finished writing the job description for this new position?
According to my job description, I’m not responsible for old accounts.
 

TO BE FIRED  

30 Aug 2012

phrase

  • To be removed from your job, either because you have done something wrong or badly
Example Sentences:Jennifer was fired for repeatedly being late for work.
Jeff was fired for his poor performance.
 

CAREER BREAK /kəˈrɪər breɪk/

29 Aug 2012

phrase

  • a period of time when one chooses not to have a job, for example because they want to travel or look after their children
Example Sentences:Susan is taking a career break in order to take care of her young children.
I’m taking a career break so I can travel around the world.
 

TO HAND IN ONE’S RESIGNATION  

28 Aug 2012

phrase

  • to inform your employer in writing that you wish to leave your job
Example Sentences:I handed in my resignation this morning to my manager.
When a head hunter approached me about another job, I immediately handed in my resignation.
 

PENSION /ˈpent .ʃən/

27 Aug 2012

noun

  • a sum of money paid regularly by the government or a private company to a person who does not work any more because they are too old or they have become ill
Example Sentences:They find it difficult to live on their government pension.
I’m glad I took out a private pension when I was young.
 

TO TAKE EARLY RETIREMENT  

26 Aug 2012

phrase

  • If you take early retirement, you stop working before the normal retirement age and generally receive your company pension (all or part of it) early.
Example Sentences:He was a stockbroker for 10 years and is now taking early retirement at the age of 40!
If I’m lucky the company will offer me early retirement.
 

RETIREMENT /rɪˈtaɪə.mənt/

25 Aug 2012

noun

  • when you leave your job and stop working, usually because you are old
Example Sentences:The retirement age for men in the UK is 65.
We wish you a long and happy retirement.
 

GOLDEN HANDSHAKE /ˈgəʊl.dən ˈhænd.ʃeɪk/

24 Aug 2012

phrase

  • a usually large payment made to someone when they leave their job, either when their employer has asked them to leave or when they are leaving at the end of their working life, as a reward for very long or good service in their job
Example Sentences:She's set up a production company with her golden handshake.
I wonder how much his golden handshake was worth.
 

TO MAKE SOMEONE REDUNDANT  

23 Aug 2012

phrase

  • To make a person leave their job because they are no longer necessary to the efficient working of the company
Example Sentences:To keep the company alive, half the workforce is being made redundant.
As the company is no longer profitable, quite a few staff will have to be made redundant.
 

UNFAIR DISMISSAL /ʌnˈfeər dɪˈsmɪs.əl/

22 Aug 2012

phrase

  • an employer's action when terminating an employee's employment contrary to the requirement of the country’s labour laws
Example Sentences:The court forced the company to pay her $45,000 for unfair dismissal.
If you feel the company has not followed the correct procedure for firing you, you could claim for unfair dismissal.
 

OVERTIME /ˈəʊ.və.taɪm/

21 Aug 2012

noun

  • extra payment for working after the usual time
Example Sentences:You can earn some overtime by working after 6.00 p.m.
How many hours overtime does your company allow you to do each month?
 

EXPERIENCE / ɪkˈspɪə.ri.ənt s/

20 Aug 2012

noun

  • (the process of getting) knowledge or skill from doing a job
Example Sentences:This applicant has over 10 years experience in this field.
How much experience do you have working with computer databases?
 
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