Dealing with difficult staff - 37 - English at Work helps you work with others

Описание: Anna's struggling to work with Rachel, the new member of staff at Tip Top Trading. She's becoming more and more difficult and Anna will have to deal with it soon!

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TRANSCRIPT

Narrator
Hello. It's another busy day at the offices of Tip Top Trading…

Denise
And I said no John, not at my age, I'd rather take the bus…

Tom
…yeah Pete, that's great, so we'll deliver 2,000 bananas by Friday. Let's have a beer soon… yeah… cheers mate.

Narrator
But there are two people who are busy annoying each other…

Anna
So you did what? You ordered the second-hand ones?!

Rachel
Chillax Hannah…

Anna
Anna!

Rachel
…they're just oranges…

Anna
…plastic lemons actually.

Narrator
Anna is struggling to work with Rachel, Mr Socrates' favourite Sales Executive, who he's sent in to help out… or hinder more like!

Rachel
Look, I'm off for a cappuccino, everything will be just fine. Ciao.

Tom
Anna, has Rachel gone out?

Anna
Yes.

Tom
She's a bit of a man-eater. She almost ate me once.

Anna
She eats men?

Tom
Well, not exactly. I worked with her in my last job. She was always listening in to other people's conversations and she's always changing jobs. That's why they call her Rachel Rabbit – you know, big ears, always jumping from one job to another.

Anna
Rachel Rabbit! That's funny. So she isn't that good then?

Tom
Oh, useless! She only worked for Mr Socrates because her father threatened to sue the company, after one of our plastic pineapples fell off a shelf and broke his toe. But, better keep that under your hat.

Anna
My hat?

Tom
I mean, keep it secret.

Anna
Oh right, I see. Well, now she's ordered loads of second-hand oranges to send to our new customer in France.

Tom
But they wanted Imperial Lemons?

Anna
I know. I'm not sure what to do, so I'm going to have to speak to Paul about this.

Narrator
Yes it's a good idea to refer up sometimes – ask the boss for advice. Say to him "I'm concerned that Rachel has made a mistake that might affect the business". You might also say "she's not pulling her weight", meaning she's not doing the work she is supposed to do. And you could say "I'm finding it very difficult to work with this person."

Anna
Right. I'll try. There's Paul now… Paul, could I have a word please?

Paul
Of course, Anna. Let's go in my office. Now, how can I help?

Anna
Err, well, it's Rachel.

Paul
Yes, amazing woman. Mr Socrates' favourite.

Anna
I know… but I'm finding it difficult to work with her.

Paul
Oh why's that?

Anna
I'm a bit concerned that she's made a mistake and it might affect our business.

Paul
Golly gosh. Really?! Why's that?

Anna
Well, she's ordered second-hand oranges for our new client in France.

Paul
That's marvellous… isn't it?

Anna
Well, I asked her not to. They wanted lemons… new Imperial Lemons.

Paul
Ah… not so marvellous. Anything else?

Anna
Well, speaking personally, I don't think she's pulling her weight. She doesn't seem to do any work and just keeps going out to buy cappuccinos.

Paul
Well, that's just not on. Look Anna, I will look into this straight away and see if I can sort this out. Thank you for bringing it to my attention. Now, I think you've earned a custard cream.

Narrator
So Anna has expressed her concerns to Paul, the boss. It's up to him to investigate. As long as you have a fair reason to complain about a difficult member of staff, these are some of the phrases you could use:

I'm concerned that she's made a mistake that might affect the business.
She's not pulling her weight.
I'm finding it very difficult to work with her.

I wonder how Paul is going to handle the situation?

Paul
Ah, there you are Rachel. Nice cappuccino? Could you step in to my office for a moment… I'd like a word.

Rachel
Ya, sure.

Denise
Ooh, I wonder what that's all about. Do you know Anna?

Anna
Hmm, no idea.

Tom
She's probably going to get a promotion and a pay rise… and a custard cream!

Rachel
Thanks Paul, ciao. What a great guy he is. Such a great sense of humour! Looks like we're doing some good work Anna!

Anna
Wwwhat?!

Narrator
Oh Anna. I'm not sure Paul has really sorted out your concerns. But don't worry, we're here to help you out. See you next time on English at Work. Bye!