You're listening to Business English Pod, the Business English podcast for professionals on the move.
Welcome back to Business English Pod.
My name's Jennifer and I'll be your host for this episode, the second of a two-part series on giving bad news and layoffs.
When employees are laid off, they usually have questions about what will happen next.
When is their last day?
What support can they expect?
And what about a severance package?
This compensation package often includes both money and some extension of benefits, but varies from company to company or even from employee to employee.
In this lesson, we'll cover language you can use after an employee has been notified of a layoff.
We'll go over ways to explain what will happen next and how to explain a severance package.
We'll also talk about ways to show empathy and offer support to a laid-off employee.
In the last episode we met Angela, a manager at a resort, and David, the head chef at Zapata's, a restaurant at the resort that is closing.
Angela has told David that he will be laid off.
Now they'll discuss the details.
As you listen, try to answer the following questions.
1.
Name two parts of David Severance's package.
2.
What will happen to David's health insurance?
3.
How does Angela offer to help David in his job search?
So what happens now?
Well, your last day will be Friday.
That should give you enough time to tie up loose ends.
And HR will have some forms for you to sign.
Uh-huh.
And what about the severance package?
Well, there'll be a month's pay for each year of service.
You've been here seven years, so there will be seven months' pay.
And we'll pay you for any unused sick leave or vacation time.
Okay.
And what about my health insurance?
We'll pay the premiums for you and your family for up to six months.
Wait a minute.
Up to six months?
What does that mean?
If you get a new job within six months, your policy with us will be terminated at that time.
But you will be insured up until that point.
Oh.
Now, I know this is a difficult time.
I'm here to answer any questions for you.
Okay.
I'm sure I'll think of some, but right now I'm still in shock.
I know.
Look David, I for one know all the things you've done for us here, and I know you're a talented chef.
Thanks, Angela.
I know it's not your fault.
I'm here if you need me.
And by all means, use me as a reference.
You have my phone number.
And I hope I'll be eating in your new restaurant in a few months' time.
So what happens now?
Well, your last day will be Friday.
That should give you enough time to tie up loose ends.
And HR will have some forms for you to sign.
Now that she's delivered the bad news, Angela explains what will happen next.
She advises David of his last day.
He's expected to tie up any loose ends or complete any unfinished business by then.
And he'll need to sign some HR forms.
Notice how Angela explains this clearly and directly.
What are some other ways to do this?
Judy and HR will go over the details of the severance package with you this afternoon.
We ask that you box up your things today.
You'll need to leave your office keys with Jim before you go.
Stella will be taking over accounts payable, so we'd appreciate it if you could get her up to speed.
Next, David wants to know about his severance package.
Uh-huh.
And what about the severance package?
Well, there'll be a month's pay for each year of service.
You've been here seven years, so there will be seven months' pay.
And we'll pay you for any unused sick leave or vacation time.
A severance package is a compensation package that is given to a laid-off employee.
Usually it includes some salary and some extension of benefits like health insurance or retirement plan contributions.
Sometimes employment counselling, training and job search assistance are part of a severance package.
One way to remember the phrase severance package is to think of the word sever, which means split.
David is splitting with his company.
His relationship with the resort is being severed.
The package he receives is the result of that split.
David will receive the equivalent of one month's pay for each year that he worked for the resort, his years of service, in other words.
For example, if David earned 5000 every month and he has worked at the resort for seven years, he will receive 35000 in severance pay.
As part of an overall benefits package.
Many companies offer a specific number of paid days that an employee can take off for illness or vacations.
As part of David's severance package, the resort will pay him for any sick leave or vacation time that he hasn't yet used.
The resort will also pay premiums or costs for health insurance for David and his family for up to six months.
Let's hear some other ways to talk about a severance package.
We'll continue to pay you your salary for the next six months.
We will pay health insurance premiums to cover you and your family until your new health plan kicks in.
All laid off employees will receive employment counseling and training opportunities.
You'll have the option of moving your retirement plan if you choose.
We're coordinating with the local job center to prioritize placements for everyone affected.
Now, I know this is a difficult time.
I'm here to answer any questions for you.
Okay.
I'm sure I'll think of some, but right now I'm still in shock.
Angela empathises with David.
She can identify with him and understand how losing his job might affect his life.
Empathising showing that you can relate to another person's situation is important when giving bad news.
It lets the person know that he or she is not alone and not the only one experiencing the loss.
There are many ways to show empathy in a professional way.
One key is to use a caring tone of voice.
Here are a few examples.
I'm truly sorry for this bad news.
I wish I had better news for you.
We're all going to miss you.
We appreciate everything you've done for our department.
We want to make this transition as smooth as possible for you and your family.
Now, Angela starts to close the conversation.
I know.
Look David, I for one know all the things you've done for us here, and I know you're a talented chef.
Thanks, Angela.
I know it's not your fault.
I'm here if you need me.
And by all means, use me as a reference.
You have my phone number. and I hope I'll be eating in your new restaurant in a few months' time.
Angela is offering support in two ways.
First she tries to be encouraging, letting David know he's talented and could very well have a new restaurant in a few months.
Second, she tells David that he can use her as a reference in his upcoming job search.
This means a prospective employer can contact Angela for her opinions on David's job performance and suitability for a new position.
Offering support depends on the manager's relationship with the employee, but here are some examples of how it can be done.
If you need a reference, please don't hesitate to call me.
You are being made redundant, so you are entitled to full unemployment benefits from the government.
Please let me know if there's anything I can do to make your last few days here easier.
Now let's practice some of the language functions and vocabulary we've covered today.
First, let's practice language that can be used to discuss a severance package.
You'll hear a question followed by a prompt.
Use the language in the prompt to answer the question.
For example, if you hear... You can say...
All laid-off employees will receive employment counselling.
We'll play an example answer after each exercise.
Are you ready?
Let's give it a go.
A week's pay.
Year of service.
Example answer.
You'll receive a week's pay for each year of service.
Are there any training opportunities?
Example Answer You can take classes at the local job center.
What about my unused sick leave and vacation time?
Paid All unused Time Example answer.
You will be paid for all of your unused sick leave and vacation time.
Will I still have health insurance for my family?
Pay premiums.
You and your family.
Example answer.
Yes, the company will pay premiums for you and your family for six months.
Now let's practice useful vocabulary and idioms.
You'll hear a series of sentences with a word replaced with a beep.
Repeat the whole sentence saying the missing word.
For example, if you hear...
You can say, After each response, we'll play the correct answer.
Let's begin.
I wonder if Ted would write me a letter of... Answer.
I wonder if Ted would write me a letter of recommendation.
How many years of...
Does Alfred have?
Answer.
How many years of service does Alfred have?
Please don't hesitate to list me as a... Answer.
Please don't hesitate to list me as a reference. and how to explain a severance package.
We've also covered language to use when empathising and offering support.
For more practice, premium members can access the online quizzes and study notes for this and other episodes in the new Learning Centre.
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Thanks for listening and see you next time.
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Premium members can access detailed study notes and the new phrase cast to practice all the useful language we featured today.
