Unit 4

Word

Definition

Example

advice

when you say what you think someone should do

I need some advice about my computer

agency

a business that arranges services forpeople

She works for an advertising agency

appreciate

to recognize how good someone or something is and to value them or it

He did not fully appreciate the significance of signing the contract

arrange

to organize or make plans for something such as a meeting, party, or trip

He had her arrange a social function

attend

be present at (an event, meeting, or function)

He did not attend the conference

bring something forward

to change the time or date of something so that it happens earlier than you planned before

The meeting's been brought forward to Thursday

confirm

to show that something is definitely true, especially by providing more proof

Could you, please, confirm that you have those items in stock?

consultative

asking for advice from other people

The consultative committee will include representatives from all areas of the company

contact

a person you know who may be able to help or advise you

Do you have any contacts in that company?

convenient

good for a particular situation and easy to do

I'm willing to meet you on any day that's convenient for you

decision-making

the process of making important business, political, or legal decisions

We need to get better at decision-making if we're going to be more successful next year

delighted

very pleased and happy

I am delighted to hear this news

democratic

relating to or supporting democracy or its principles

The country needs democratic reforms

employee

someone who is paid to work for someone else

All new employees are given a tour of the department

employer

a person, company, or organization that employs people

Employers don't like CVs that are more than five pages long

executive

someone who has an important job as a manager in a company or business

He is the company's executive

feel free

to tell someone that they are allowed to do something

Please feel free to ask questions

finance

decisions on how money is spent or invested

Finance was the first point of discussion att the meeting.

fix

to decide on an exact time, place, price, etc

I've fixed for you to see him this afternoon at four

fixed schedule

a timetable that cannot be changed

You need to be well-organized, so that you have a fixed schedule of work

flexible hours

a working schedule that allows employees to alter workday start and finish times

I am working flexible hours this month

full-time

for all the hours of the week during which it is usual for people to work, study etc

He wants to find full-time job

guru

someone who other people respect and go to for advice about a particular subject

I will attend the seminar of that management guru

hands-off

not telling the people that you are in charge of what to do, but letting them make their own decisions

The government has a hands-off approach to the industry

hands-on

involving or offering active participation rather than theory

He has a very hands-on approach to management

input

ideas, advice, money, or effort that you put into a job or activity in order to help it succeed

We'll need input from community nurses

intern

a student or trainee who works, sometimes without pay

I joined the company as an intern to the marketng departmnet

look forward to

to be excited and pleased about something that is going to happen

I look forward to my holiday

move into

to change to a different job

Next month I will finally move into my new appartment

nine-to-five

working every day from nine o'clock in the morning until five o'clock in the evening

It's a great freedom not be employed in a nine-to-five job

out

if a particular suggestion or activity is out, it is not possible

She walked out of the office and into the street

part-time

for only part of the usual working day or week

She wants to work part-time after she's had the baby

permanent employee

someone who has a contract to work for a long time

I received a promotion and became a permanent employee

point

an idea, fact, or opinion that someone mentions in a talk, discussion, or piece of writing

You've made a very interesting point

fair point

used during a discussion to say that you think someone has said something true and you agree

That is a fair point, it includes the huge market here

take someone's point

used during a discussion to say that you understand what someone has said

OK, I take your point. But it's not that easy

have a point

used during a discussion to say that someone has said something that is important or useful

I suppose you have got a point there

remote worker

someone who works in a place away from the office

I've adapted pretty well to being a remote worker in Buenos Aires

retired

having stopped working, usually because of your age

He's a retired nurse

self-employed

working for oneself as a freelance or the owner of a business rather than for an employer

Becoming self-employed usually means giving up a secure salary

shift

move or cause to move from one place to another, especially over a small distance

Dave had to work a 12-hour shift yesterday

staff

all the people employed by a particular organization

All our staff must follow a dress code

suit

to be usefull or all right, and not cause problms for you

Night shift suit me perfectly

take place

to happen, especially after being planned or arranged

My English exam takes place in another school

temporary worker

someone who has a job for only a limited period of time

I was hired as a temporary worker

unable

not able to do something

We were unable to contact him at the time

unemployed

without a job

He's been unemployed for over a year

unfortunately

used when you are mentioning a fact that you wish was not true

Unfortunately it rained almost every day

view

an opinion or belief about something

He views holidays as a waste of time

work pattern

one of the different ways that someone's hours of work can be organised

My work pattern isn't particularly standard

working day

the time during the day that people spend doing their job

It will be returned within three working days

working life

the part of a person's life when they do a job or are at work

His entire working life was spent with the same firm