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Talking sense

Welcome back to English at Work. Anna is acting up as boss because Paul had an accident with a biscuit! But her and Tom are in a panic after finding a note in Paul’s diary that said ‘Socrates, IPC, final’. Could it mean bad news for Tip Top Trading? Let’s find out.

Tom

It’s very odd and it can’t be good. But Socrates must mean Mr Socrates.

Anna

Yes – but IPC? What’s that mean?

Tom

Yeah and final sounds very… final. Hmm… I’ve got it! IPC – it must be code for imminent post closures – they’re going to sack us all!

Anna

Sshh. Keep your voice down. Don’t tell everyone. Let’s check things out first, don’t say anything yet. OK?

Tom

OK. Mum’s the word.

Anna

Your mum knows?!

Tom

No, no, no, it’s our little secret. See you later.

Denise

Everything OK Tom?

Tom

Oh yeah, everything’s cool. Actually Denise, it’s not. I think we’re all going to be sacked tomorrow by Mr Socrates.

Denise

What?! No! I’ve got a hairdresser’s appointment on Saturday, how am I going to pay for it now? What am I going to do? I know, I’ll call Marge.

Tom

Hey Brian, Pete… we’re all going to be sacked tomorrow.

Narrator

Erm… Anna, you’ve got a problem brewing.

Anna

What?

Narrator

Tom’s spreading rumours about job cuts. Everyone’s starting to panic.

Anna

Oh no! I’d better do something but what shall I say?

Narrator

Call a meeting quickly. Tell the team ‘there are some rumours going around that are not true’. Say, ‘I am trying to establish the facts and I will let you know as soon as I have some information’. You could say ‘I would be grateful if you hear any rumours, not to pass them on’. This can be a tricky situation and you need to handle it well. Good luck!

Anna

Gosh. This is hard but here goes. Excuse me, could everyone gather round please.

Denise

Is this about the sackings?

Anna

No Denise. Any rumours about sackings are not true.

Tom

Yeah that’s right. Who told you that Denise?

Denise

Hmmm…

Anna

Please don’t listen to rumours. I am trying to establish the facts and if I get any information I will let you know straight away.

Denise

But I heard Mr Socrates is coming tomorrow, surely he’s going to sack us.

Anna

Ignore the rumours and please don’t pass them on.

Narrator

Anna. Tell them to carry on with their work as normal.

Anna

Right, yes. Could you please just carry on with your work as normal. Thank you.

Tom

So Anna, how are you going to find out the facts?

Anna

I’m going to have to call Paul – in private Tom – I don’t want any more rumours getting out.

Tom

Oh yeah, absolutely. You need to establish the facts right?

Paul

Hello, Paul speaking.

Anna

Oh hi Paul. It’s Anna. Sorry to bother you. Are you feeling better?

Paul

Much better thanks but keeping clear of biscuits for a while! Anyway, is everything OK?

Anna

Not exactly. There are rumours spreading about job cuts. Tom saw a note in your diary for tomorrow that said ‘Socrates, IPC’.

Paul

Hmm. Really? Oh yes. I mean, oh no! It’s not job cuts – it’s IPC - the International Plastics Conference tomorrow! And Mr Socrates is flying in for it. Oh golly gosh, I’d forgotten about that.

Anna

I see. And why did you right final?

Paul

Because there’s an award being given for the Best Plastic Innovation – and we’re in the final with our Imperial Lemon. It was a reminder to me to write an acceptance speech. Oh golly gosh, I haven’t written a thing.

Anna

Oh dear. What are we going to do?

Narrator

What are you going to do indeed? But thank goodness those rumours of job cuts are not true. Tomorrow could actually be a good day for Tip Top Trading. Here’s a reminder of the phrases Anna used to try and control the spread of some office rumours: There are some rumours going around that are not true.

Please don’t listen to rumours.

I am trying to establish the facts and if I get any information I will let you know straight away.

Ignore the rumours and please don’t pass them on.

Please just carry on with your work as normal. Thank you.

Narrator

Tomorrow is going to be an important day at the International Plastics Conference. Mr Socrates will be there and Tip Top Trading could pick up a prestigious prize but who’s going to write the acceptance speech?

Paul

OK Anna, this calls for some urgent action. I want you and Tom to meet me at the Princess Diana Conference Centre tomorrow at 9.00.

Anna

Right. And what about the speech?

Paul

Well, I’ve got quite a lot on my plate so I was wondering if you could give it a go… please?

Anna

Me?! I’ve never done it before. What am I going to say?!

Narrator

Don’t worry Anna. We’re here to help. Join us again soon for some more English at Work. Bye!