39 - A step too far
Language for giving someone a verbal warning
New recruit Rachel has been making life difficult for Anna and she's been making some bad business decisions. It's time to give her a warning but who is going to do it and what will they say? How is she going to be disciplined?
Intermediate · 170329 · 2017-03-29
New recruit Rachel has been making life difficult for Anna and she's been making some bad business decisions. It's time to give her a warning but who is going to do it and what will they say? How is she going to be disciplined? Language for giving someone a verbal warning This episode focuses on what to say when you need to discipline someone and give them a warning.
1. You've made some serious mistakes.
BBC UK: You've made some serious mistakes.
2. You need to consult me before you contact any of our clients.
BBC UK: You need to consult me before you contact any of our clients.
3. These mistakes cannot happen again otherwise I will have to refer the matter to someone higher.
BBC UK: These mistakes cannot happen again otherwise I will have to refer the matter to someone higher.
1. Narrator
Hello and welcome back to Tip Top Trading. New recruit Rachel has been making life difficult for Anna; she's been making some bad business decisions. Let's find out how Anna can save the day.
BBC UK: Hello and welcome back to Tip Top Trading. New recruit Rachel has been making life difficult for Anna; she's been making some bad business decisions. Let's find out how Anna can save the day.
2. Tom
Right, we've definitely got to do something about Rachel... definitely... only, I'm a bit busy at the moment.
BBC UK: Right, we've definitely got to do something about Rachel… definitely… only, I'm a bit busy at the moment.
3. Denise
Sorting out your dinner date are you Tom?! So Anna, have you spoken to Paul about this?
BBC UK: Sorting out your dinner date are you Tom?! So Anna, have you spoken to Paul about this?
4. Anna
Yes I have, but he didn't do anything.
BBC UK: Yes I have, but he didn't do anything.
5. Denise
Hmm, well he is your boss so I think you've got to speak to him again. Take him some cookies, that might get his attention.
BBC UK: Hmm, well he is your boss so I think you've got to speak to him again. Take him some biscuits, that might get his attention.
6. Anna
Well, I'll try
BBC UK: Well, I'll try
7. Denise
Oh and keep notes so you have a record of your conversation.
BBC UK: Oh and keep notes so you have a record of your conversation.
8. Anna
Denise, you're amazing. But where have the pens gone to?
BBC UK: Denise, you're amazing. But where have the pens gone to?
9. Denise
That is strange - we all seem to be losing our pens. Here, use this old pencil.
BBC UK: That is strange – we all seem to be losing our pens. Here, use this old pencil.
10. Anna
Thanks.
BBC UK: Thanks.
11. Narrator
Anna. Are you happy complaining officially about Rachel?
BBC UK: Anna. Are you happy complaining officially about Rachel?
12. Anna
Not really but what else can I do? She's been spoiling all the work I've been doing.
BBC UK: Not really but what else can I do? She's been spoiling all the work I've been doing.
13. Narrator
Yes she has. Okay, well tell Paul the facts and tell him you want action.
BBC UK: Yes she has. OK, well tell Paul the facts and tell him you want action.
14. Anna
Okay. Right, here goes.
BBC UK: OK. Right, here goes.
15. Paul
Come in.
BBC UK: Come in.
16. Anna
Hi Paul. I really need to speak to you about Rachel. She really is messing things up...Paul?
BBC UK: Hi Paul. I really need to speak to you about Rachel. She really is messing things up…Paul?
17. Paul
Sorry, just counting my cookies. What were you saying? Rachel? Great girl, isn't she?
BBC UK: Sorry, just counting my biscuits. What were you saying? Rachel? Great girl, isn't she?
18. Anna
No she's not.
BBC UK: No she's not.
19. Paul
Oh.
BBC UK: Oh.
20. Anna
Paul, she's already sent out the wrong order and now she's upset our new client. Plus, have you seen the way she dresses? I'm not happy and I think you've got to take some action.
BBC UK: Paul, she's already sent out the wrong order and now she's upset our new client. Plus, have you seen the way she dresses? I'm not happy and I think you've got to take some action.
21. Narrator
Anna, you're on fire! But stick to the facts, don't get personal about Rachel.
BBC UK: Anna, you're on fire! But stick to the facts, don't get personal about Rachel.
22. Paul
Well I'm sure Mr. Socrates would disagree with you. Look, if she is as bad as you say then I'll give you my permission to discipline her - give her a warning.
BBC UK: Well I'm sure Mr Socrates would disagree with you. Look, if she is as bad as you say then I'll give you my permission to discipline her – give her a warning.
23. Anna
What! Me?
BBC UK: What! Me?
24. Paul
You know what's she done wrong so tell her not to do it again...and besides, I've got an important meeting to go to... and they usually have those delicious shortbread cookies. So ...I'll leave it with you then?
BBC UK: You know what's she done wrong so tell her not to do it again…and besides, I've got an important meeting to go to… and they usually have those delicious shortbread biscuits. So …I'll leave it with you then?
25. Narrator
What a useless boss! Anna are you happy about what to do next?
BBC UK: What a useless boss! Anna are you happy about what to do next?
26. Anna
Not really. What am I going to say?
BBC UK: Not really. What am I going to say?
27. Narrator
It's not easy but keep calm and professional and say to Rachel, "you've made some serious mistakes" and "you need to consult me before you contact any of our clients." Give her a verbal warning saying "These mistakes cannot happen again, otherwise I will have to refer the matter to someone higher." This may lead to disciplinary action but it may be for the best.
BBC UK: It's not easy but keep calm and professional and say to Rachel, "you've made some serious mistakes" and "you need to consult me before you contact any of our clients." Give her a verbal warning saying "These mistakes cannot happen again, otherwise I will have to refer the matter to someone higher." This may lead to disciplinary action but it may be for the best.
28. Anna
Oh it's all very serious but I suppose I have to do it.
BBC UK: Oh it's all very serious but I suppose I've got to do it.
29. Narrator
Good luck!
BBC UK: Good luck!
30. Rachel
Anna! Darling! What's wrong? I saw Paul and he said you're in a bit of a mood.
BBC UK: Anna! Darling! What's wrong? I saw Paul and he said you're in a bit of a mood.
31. Anna
It's not a mood Rachel. Can we talk please...now?
BBC UK: It's not a mood Rachel. Can we talk please…now?
32. Rachel
Yeah sure. Let's sit here, should we - not in that chair - that's my favorite.
BBC UK: Yeah sure. Let's sit here, shall we – not in that chair – that's my favourite.
33. Anna
Rachel, I wanted to let you know that you've made some serious mistakes.
BBC UK: Rachel, I wanted to let you know that you've made some serious mistakes.
34. Rachel
Oh!
BBC UK: Oh!
35. Anna
You have really upset our new client - and you think it's ok to sell second hand plastic oranges.
BBC UK: You have really upset our new client – and you think it's ok to sell second hand plastic oranges.
36. Rachel
Calm down. It's business, darling.
BBC UK: Calm down. It's business, darling.
37. Anna
It's not good business Rachel. These mistakes cannot happen again. If they do I will have to take matters higher and it could result in disciplinary action.
BBC UK: It's not good business Rachel. These mistakes cannot happen again. If they do I will have to take matters higher and it could result in disciplinary action.
38. Rachel
Oh! You're quite scary for a short girl.
BBC UK: Oh! You're quite scary for a short girl.
39. Narrator
That was unnecessary! But well done Anna for keeping cool and calm in a difficult situation. Let's hope Rachel has got the message. Here is a reminder of the phrases you could use when giving someone a verbal warning... You've made some serious mistakes. You need to consult me before you contact any of our clients. These mistakes cannot happen again otherwise I will have to refer the matter to someone higher.
BBC UK: That was unnecessary! But well done Anna for keeping cool and calm in a difficult situation. Let's hope Rachel has got the message. Here is a reminder of the phrases you could use when giving someone a verbal warning… You've made some serious mistakes. You need to consult me before you contact any of our clients. These mistakes cannot happen again otherwise I will have to refer the matter to someone higher.
40. Narrator
Let's find out how Rachel is behaving.
BBC UK: Let's find out how Rachel is behaving.
41. Tom
Ah hello, Rachel.
BBC UK: Ah hello, Rachel.
42. Rachel
Tommy boy. Come and give me a hug. Opps!
BBC UK: Tommy boy. Come and give me a hug. Opps!
43. Tom
Our pens! All our pens! You've been stealing them! Rachel!
BBC UK: Our pens! All our pens! You've been stealing them! Rachel!
44. Paul
What's going on? I say, what are all those pens doing on the floor?
BBC UK: What's going on? I say, what are all those pens doing on the floor?
45. Denise
They're from Rachel's handbag. She's been stealing them!
BBC UK: They're from Rachel's handbag. She's been stealing them!
46. Paul
What? The company's pens?Right, well, I need to see you in my office please Rachel, now...if you don't mind. Anna/Tom/Denise Gasp!
BBC UK: What? The company's pens?Right, well, I need to see you in my office please Rachel, now…if you don't mind. Anna/Tom/Denise Gasp!
47. Narrator
So Rachel is the pen thief! What does this mean for her job at Tip Top Trading? Find out next time. Until then, bye!
BBC UK: So Rachel is the pen thief! What does this mean for her job at Tip Top Trading? Find out next time. Until then, bye!
Question
Who stole all the pens?
Answer
Rachel.