generic workplace vocabulary with pronunciation asset skills

Generic Workplace Vocabulary Background These materials have been developed with the support of funding from the Department for Universities, Industry and Skills (DIUS), and are designed to complement the learning programmes for the ESOL for Work qualifications and other ESOL qualifications that are delivered in a workplace setting. Introduction This vocabulary list is designed to help those who are learning English to better understand some of the specific work terms, jargon, acronyms and abbreviations that they may come across in the workplace. The list includes a brief explanation of each words or term and has been formatted to be used like a “workbook” so that users can add their own notes either on an electronic version or on a printed copy. In addition, the list includes guidance on pronunciation, which follows the “spelled pronunciation” style. Syllables are separated by hyphens and bold type indicates the primary stressed syllable, for example:

newspaper [nooz-pey-per] information [in-fer-mey-shuh n]

A full explanation of the sounds is shown on the following page.

Generic Workplace Vocabulary with Pronunciation Mar 2009.doc of 23

Key to Spelled Pronunication

CONSONANTS [b] boy, baby, rob [d] do, ladder, bed [f] food, offer, safe [g] get, bigger, dog [h] happy, ahead [j] jump, budget, age [k] can, speaker, stick [l] let, follow, still [m] make, summer, time [n] no, dinner, thin [ng] singer, think, long [p] put, apple, cup [r] run, marry, far, store [s] sit, city, passing, face [sh] she, station, push [t] top, better, cat

[ch] church, watching, nature, witch

[th] thirsty, nothing, maths [th] this, mother, breathe [v] very, seven, love [w] wear, away [hw] where, somewhat [y] yes, onion [z] zoo, easy, buzz [zh] measure, television, beige

VOWELS

[a] apple, can, hat [ey] aid, hate, day [ah] arm, father, aha [air] air, careful, wear [aw] all, or, talk, lost, saw [e] ever, head, get [ee] eat, see, need [eer] ear, hero, beer [er] teacher, afterward, murderer [i] it, big, finishes [ahy] I, ice, hide, deny [o] odd, hot, waffle [oh] owe, road, below [oo] ooze, food, soup, sue [oo] good, book, put [oi] oil, choice, toy [ou] out, loud, how [uh] up, mother, mud

[uh] about, animal, problem, circus

[ur] early, bird, stirring

FOREIGN SOUNDS

[A] Fr. ami [KH] Scot. loch, Ger. ach or ich [œ] Fr. feu, Ger. schön [R] Fr. au revoir, Yiddish rebbe [uh] Fr. oeuvre [Y] Fr. tu, Ger. über


Generic Workplace Vocabulary Word

Pronunciation

Definition

Translation/Notes

Aa

Accident Book ak-si-duhnt book A book that must be provided in every workplace by the employer in which all workplace accidents must be recorded.

Agency worker ey-juhn-see wur-ker A worker engaged through, or by, an employment agency or bureau and supplied to a hiring employer on a temporary basis.

Annual leave an-yoo-uh l leev Paid time off from work, calculated yearly. Also holiday or vacation.

Application form ap-li-key-shuhn fawrm Form used in the recruitment process to enable a job candidate to supply information about qualifications, skills, and experience.

Appraisal uh-prey-zuh l A review of the standard and efficiency of the work completed by an employee.

Arbitration ahr-bi-trey-shuhn Procedure for resolving disputes using one or more neutral third parties.

ASAP ey-sap As soon as possible Assembly point uh-sem-blee point A designated place to wait after

evacuating a building in an emergency of any kind.


Word

Pronunciation

Definition Translation/Notes

Bb

Benefits ben-uh-fits Such as life insurance, company car, free parking or free meals.

Bonus boh-nuhs Additional pay. Also incentive or reward.

Budget buhj-it An itemised allotment of funds, time, etc, for a given period.

Cc

Clock in/clock out Klok in/Klok out To begin work or finish work, especially by punching a time clock.

Colleague kol-eeg Someone else employed by your employer.

Company kuhm-puh-nee A group of people who work together to make goods or deliver a service. Also firm or organisation.

Contract of Employment

kon-trakt ov em-ploi-muhnt

An agreement enforceable by law reached between two parties.

COSHH kosh Control of Substances Hazardous to Health. The legislation is designed to protect people from ill health caused by exposure to harmful substances.

Curriculum Vitae (CV) kuh-rik-yuh-luhm vee-tahy

Summary of work experience and education. Also Résumé.


Word

Pronunciation


Dd

Database dey-tuh-beys A system to store organised information about products, customers, staff, etc.

Disciplinary Procedure dis-uh-pluh-ner-ee pruh-see-jer

Written, step-by-step process which a firm follows in every case where an employee has to be warned, reprimanded, or dismissed.

Discrimination di-skrim-uh-ney-shuhn Unfair treatment of an individual or group on the basis of race, creed, disability, gender or sexuality.

Dismiss dis-mis To remove from employment. Also sack.

Diversity di-vur-si-tee In the workplace, diversity is about the recognition and valuing of difference in its broadest sense. It is about creating a culture and working practices that recognise, respect, value and harness differences for the benefit of the organisation and individual.

DoB Date of Birth. Duties dyoo-tees A service, function, or task assigned

to an employee (also responsibilities)


Word

Pronunciation


Ee

Employee em-ploi-ee Person who works for a firm or company. Also staff or worker.

Employee Number em-ploi-ee nuhm-ber Or staff number – your personal number in your work place.

Employer em-ploi-er Person or firm who employ people. A group of people who work together to make goods or deliver a service. Also company or firm.

Entitlement en-tahy-tl-muhnt A right (or benefit) granted by law or contract.

Equality i-kwol-i-tee In the workplace, equality is about creating a fairer society where everyone can participate and has the opportunity to fulfill their potential. It is backed up by legislation designed to address unfair discrimination.

Equal Opportunities ee-kwuh l op-er- tyoo -ni-tees

A policy adopted by an organisation guaranteeing equality of treatment and opportunity for people regardless of race, creed, disability, gender or sexuality.

Expenses ik-spens - ez Costs incurred by an employee in the performance of duties such as travel to meetings.


Word

Pronunciation


Ff

FAQ ef-ey-kyoo Frequently Asked Questions Fire fahyuh r To remove from employment. Also

dismiss or sack.

First Aid Furst eyd Emergency aid or treatment given to someone injured, suddenly ill, etc., before regular medical services arrive or can be reached.

Fixed Term Fikst turm Contracts which operate for a fixed term only, whereupon they terminate automatically.

Flexitime flek-si-tahym A variable work schedule, typically with a core period of the day when employees are expected to be at work, whilst the rest of the working day is “flexitime”, in which employees can choose when they work, subject to achieving total daily, weekly or monthly hours in the region of what the employer expects, and subject to the necessary work being done.

Firm Furm A group of people who work together to make goods or deliver a service. Also company or organisation.

Full time foo l tahym Employed for a standard number of working hours per week.


Word

Pronunciation


Gg

Grievance Procedure gree-vuhnspruh-see-jer

An arrangement for dealing with individual concerns about practice or conduct in the workplace, such as bullying or harassment or racial discrimination, or appeals against decisions on promotion or, in some cases, appraisal marks.

Gross Pay Grohs pey Money before any deductions (tax/National Insurance).

Hh

HMRC Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, who are responsible for collecting income tax/national insurance on behalf of the government in England.

Hand in notice hand in noh-tis Leave a job voluntarily by giving notice of intention to leave. Also notice or resign.


Word

Pronunciation


Health and Safety Policy

Helth uhnd seyf-tee pol-uh-see

A policy to protect the safety, health and welfare of people engaged in work or employment. As a secondary effect, it may also protect co-workers, family members, employers, customers, suppliers, nearby communities, and other members of the public who are impacted by the workplace environment.

Holiday hol-i-dey Paid time off from work, usually calculated yearly. Also annual leave or vacation.

Human resources hyoo-muhn ree-zawrs-es

The team focused on activities relating employees, such as recruiting new employees, inductions, training and employee benefits. Also personnel.

Ii

Incentive in-sen-tiv Additional pay. Also bonus or reward.

Income in-kuhm Money paid to an employee (could be quoted on hourly, weekly, monthly or annually/yearly). Also pay or wage.


Word

Pronunciation


Income tax in-kuhm taks Tax on the money you earn, which goes to the government for roads, schools, armed forces, etc. Also called tax.

Induction in-duhk-shuhn A process of introduction into a new job or company.

Interview in-ter-vyoo Formal meeting to evaluate an applicant for employment

Jj

Job job Regular activity performed in exchange for payment. Also trade, occupation, or profession.

Job description job di-skrip-shuhn Explanation of the duties associated with a specific job title.

Job title job tahyt-l Describes the function and level of a job.

Kk

KPI Kay-pee-aye Key performance indicators: quantifiable measurements, agreed to beforehand, that reflect the critical success factors (of the company, department, project.).

Keyboard kee-bohrd A set of keys, usually arranged in tiers, for operating computer.


Word

Pronunciation


Ll

Lay off Ley of To terminate the employment of a worker. See also redundancy.

Line manager lahyn man-i-jer An employee’s immediate superior, who oversees and has responsibility for the employee’s work.

Lieu days

loo deys Days granted as leave in the place of extra payments for such things as overtime. Also TOIL.

Mm

Mandatory man-duh-tohr-ee Required or obligatory, such as specific qualifications or training.

Manual handling man-yoo-uh l hand-ling Any transporting or supporting of a load (including the lifting, putting down, pushing, pulling, carrying or moving thereof) by hand or by bodily force.

Maternity leave muh-tur-ni-tee leev Period of absence for female employees when having a baby.

Memo memorandum

mem-oh mem-uh-ran-duhm

A written record or communication.


Word

Pronunciation


min-uh-muhm weyj Minimum Wage Most adults working in the UK are entitled to the Minimum Wage. From 1 October 2008:

• £5.73 per hour for workers aged 22 years and older

• A development rate of £4.77 per hour for workers aged 18-21 inclusive

• £3.53 per hour for all workers under the age of 18, who are no longer of compulsory school age

The daily rate of the accommodation offset is £4.46 (£31.22 per week) for each day that accommodation is provided. The Minimum Wage rate is set annually, check www.direct.gov.uk for latest information.

Moonlighting moon-lahyt-ing Undertaking a second job, often for cash and in the evenings, in addition to a full-time permanent job.


http://www.direct.gov.uk/

Word

Pronunciation


Nn

National Health nash-uh-nl helth National Health Service (NHS) National Insurance nash-uh-nl

in-shoo r-uhns Money for National Health and Social Security benefits

NB en-bee (Note bene), please note Net pay Net pey The pay/wage you actually receive Notice noh-tis Advance warning of intention to leave

a job. Also hand in notice or resign.

Oo

Occupation ok-yuh-pey-shuhn Regular activity performed in exchange for payment. Also job, trade, or profession.

Organisation awr-guh-nuh-zey-shuhn A group of people who work together to make goods or deliver a service. Also company or firm.

Overalls oh-ver-awlz A loose-fitting outer garment worn over regular clothing as protection from dirt. Also protective clothing.

Overtime oh-ver-tahym The amount of time someone works beyond normal working hours.


Word

Pronunciation


Pp

P11D A form filed with the tax office by UK employers for each director and for each employee earning over £8500 per year. A copy is also given to the employees as it may be required to complete a self-assessment tax return.

P45 Form that is given to an employee when they end their employment. It gives details of income for social security and tax purposes for the current financial year.

P60 In the UK, it details a taxpayer’s taxable income and deductions made by PAYE (both for tax and National Insurance contributions) for that year.

PPE Personal Protective Equipment which includes all forms of protective equipment not just clothing such as eye and ear protection.

Part time Pahrt tahym Employed for less than standard number of working hours per week.

Paternity leave puh-tur-ni-tee leev Period of absence for male employees when wife/partner has a baby.


Word

Pronunciation


Pay pey Money paid to an employee (could be quoted on hourly, weekly, monthly or annually/yearly). Also wage or income.

Pay slip Pey slip A note that records how much money you have earned and how much tax, national insurance and pension has been taken out.

PAYE Pay As You Earn is the system that HMRC uses to collect Income Tax and National Insurance contributions (NICs) from employees’ pay as you earn it.

Per annum (pa) per an-uhm Yearly/annual. Personnel pur-suh-nel The team focused on activities

relating employees, such as recruiting new employees, inductions, training and employee benefits. Also Human Resources.

Pension pen-shuhn Post-retirement benefits that an employee might receive from some employers (and/or the State).

Petty cash pet-ee kash A small fund of cash for the payment of incidental expenses.

Piece work Pees wurk When workers are paid by the piece they make or complete (common in sewing and manufacturing).


Word

Pronunciation


Probationary period proh-bey-shuhn peer-ee-uhd

A set length of time in the early weeks/months of employment during which the employer monitors and appraises an employee to ensure the required standards of conduct and performance are being reached. At the end of the period the employer will decide whether to offer a permanent position. It is also a chance for the employee to decide whether the job is right for them.

Production line pruh-duhk-shuhn lahyn Assembly line where a number of people or machines perform separate tasks to make a product.

Profession pruh-fesh-uhn Work or business activity performed in exchange for payment. Also job, occupation, trade or vocation.

Promotion pruh-moh-shuhn Advancement in rank or position in a company.

Prospects pros-pektz Opportunities for success or promotion at work

Protective clothing pros-pekt kloh-th ing Special clothing designed to be worn in the workplace to protect against hazards such as heat, chemicals and infection. See also overalls.


Word

Pronunciation


Qq

Qualification kwol-uh-fi-key-shuhn A certified achievement that fits a person for some function or activity. See also vocational qualification.

Rr

Red tape Red teyp Excessive paperwork or bureaucracy. Redundancy ri-duhn-duhn-see When employees are laid off on a

permanent basis because their work is no longer required by the company due to economic, technological or other reasons. See also lay off.

Reference ref-ruhns Statement of facts and opinions concerning the qualifications, skills, capabilities, personal qualities, conduct, and attitudes of a person in relation to work.

Resign ree-sahyn Leave a job voluntarily by giving notice of intention to leave. Also hand in notice or notice.

Rest break Rest breyk Period of time during the working day when an employee is allowed to be away from their workstation for a rest or meal break.


Word

Pronunciation


Résumé rez-oo-mey Summary of work experience and education. Also CV or curriculum vitae.

Retire ri-tahyuh r When a person stops work, often because of their age.

Reward ri-wawrd Additional pay. Also bonus or incentive.

Risk assessment Risk uh-ses-muhnt The identification and assessment of hazards to help an organisation prevent accidents and ill health.

Rota roh-tuh A rotation or list of people undertaking a duty or area of work.

Ss

Sack sak To remove from employment. Also dismiss or fire.

Salary sal-uh-ree Fixed regular payment (usually monthly) made by employer to employee.

Schedule shed-yool A plan of the times when a job or activity should be done. Also timetable.


Word

Pronunciation


Shift work Shift wurk A period of work, which is performed outside of what is considered to be the normal working period. Common where a organisation operates 24 hours a day or longer than standard working day (factories, hotels, restaurants, hospitals, shops, etc).

Sick day Sik dey Absence from work because of illness.

Sick leave Sik leev Paid official absence from work granted to employees when they are ill.

Signing In Book Sahyn-ing in book Register kept at point of entry to a workplace to record which staff (and visitors) are on the premises.

Spreadsheet spred-sheet A document that stores data in a grid of rows and columns which allows the data to be analysed using formulas and calculations.

Staff stahf Person who works for a firm or company. Also employee or worker.

Staff Handbook Stahf hand-book Provides guidelines and procedures in relation to staff. Also Staff Manual.

Staff Manual Stahf man-yoo-uh l Provides guidelines and procedures in relation to staff. Also Staff Handbook.

Strike Strahyk To stop work as industrial action in protest against something.


Word

Pronunciation


Supervisor soo-per-vahy-zer An employee who is given authority and responsibility for planning and controlling the work of a group through close contact.

Tt

Targets tahr-gits Numerical benchmarks for planning progress towards a goal.

Tax taks Money for the government for roads, schools, armed forces, etc. Also called income tax.

Tax code Taks kohd The number that shows how much tax you will pay.

Tax year Taks yeer The 12 month period commencing 6th April and ending 5th April the following year.

Timetable tahym-tey-buh l A plan of the times when a job or activity should be done. Also schedule.

TOIL toil Time off in lieu: leave given to compensate an employee for additional hours worked. It is often given instead of a payment for overtime. Also Lieu days.

Trade treyd Regular activity performed in exchange for payment. Also job, occupation, or profession.


Word

Pronunciation


Trade Union Treyd yoon-yuhn A society of workers formed to protect and improve their working conditions, pay, etc.

Training course trey-ning kohrs A course of study to prepare for work. Uu

Unemployment Benefit uhn-em-ploi-muhnt ben-uh-fit

Money paid by the State to an unemployed person (Job Seekers’ Allowance).

Unfair dismissal uhn-fair dis-mis-uh l Legal term for a dismissal carried out for no good reason or without going through an agreed company procedure for dismissals.

Uniform yoo-nuh-fawrm A set of standard clothing worn by members of an organisation while participating in that organisation’s activity – for example armed services, nursing, soldiers and retail, hotel or catering staff.

Union Learning Rep yoon-yuhn lur-ning rep

A union activist who advises on learning needs and opportunities.


Word

Pronunciation


Vv

Vacation vey-key-shuhn Paid time off from work, usually calculated yearly. Also annual leave or holiday.

Verbal warning vur-buh l wawr-ning A formal warning given to an employee to correct areas of unsatisfactory work performance and to clarify work rules and policy – the first stage of the disciplinary procedure.

Vocation voh-key-shuhn A particular workplace activity. Also occupation, profession or trade.

Vocational qualification voh-key-shuh-nl kwol-uh-fi-key-shuhn

An award or certificate to show competence in a trade or occupational area.

Ww

Wage weyj Money paid to an employee (could be quoted on hourly, weekly, monthly or annually/yearly). Also pay or income.

Whistleblower wis-uh l-bloh-er Someone who reveals wrong doing within an organisation to the public or to those in positions of authority.


Word

Pronunciation


Wordprocessing Wurd-proh-ses-ing Computer- based text and document creation tool with editing and formatting functions.

Worker wur-ker Person who works for a firm or company. Also staff or worker.

Written warning rit-n wawr-ning If behaviour has not improved after the formal verbal warning then the next stage is a letter outlining the behaviour to be improved and actions that will be taken if this does not happen. New legislation in place from 6 April 2009.

Xx Yy Zz


generic workplace vocabulary with pronunciation asset skills

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