Justifying your position - 54 - English at Work helps you explain your reasons

Chaos continues at Tip Top Trading. Paper is all over the place and important messages aren’t getting through. What can the team do to improve the situation? Paul might have to admit his mistake and ask someone to come back to help out. For more English at Work and other great content:: TRANSCRIPT Narrator Welcome back to the chaotic offices of Tip Top Trading. Now Denise has left the company, the place is a mess and important phone messages are being lost. What can be done to make things better? I think we know the answer! Paul Hi. Did anyone take a message for me while I was out? I’m expecting an important call. Tom Err… no! Anna Actually yes Paul. I wrote it on Tom’s hand but he washed it off. Tom Look, good hygiene’s very important to me. Paul Hmm. That’s not very good is it? What’s wrong with writing on a piece of paper? Anna We’ve run out of paper… and pens. Tom Everything really. Nobody’s ordered any stationery or tidied up the office. Anna It’s since Denise left. Paul Yes, maybe I was a bit hasty getting rid of her. It was really just to save money. Tom Yeah, but look, if we can’t take messages from possible clients we’re going to lose even more money. Paul Yes… I suppose you have a point. Maybe I will to have reinstate her. Anna You mean, get her back? Narrator Yes Anna, he does. Another way of saying reinstate is he’s got to ’reverse his decision’. It means Paul has got to make an awkward call to Denise. Tom LookPaul, you’re going to have to call her and tell her you’ve made an error… a huge one actually. Paul It wasn’t that huge? Actually… Anna, you’re her good friend, would you like to call her? Anna Me?! B-b-but I can’t. Narrator What a coward! I think it’s time to stand your ground Anna. Tell him “You’re the boss, I think it’s better coming from you“, and remind him “it was your decision so you need to explain the situation“, and remind him “this is your responsibility“. You could suggest he says “I’m sorry, I made a mistake and we would love to have you back.“ Anna OK. Do you know what Paul, I think the news is better coming from you… just to make it official. Tom Yeah Paul, you are the boss after all. Anna And it was your decision in the first place so you need to explain that the situation has changed. Paul Well, maybe you’re right but I can’t tell her I’m wrong can I? Anna Look, just say you’re sorry. Tell her you made a mistake and I would love to have you back… we all would. Paul Yes, you’re right. I should do it. I’ll just have a quick biscuit. Here goes (Dials number) Denise Hello? Paul Ah... h-h-h-ello Denise. It’s me… Paul…your boss… your ex-boss from Tip Top Trading. Denise Oh. Paul How are you… getting on? Denise Well… Paul Good, good. Actually, I’ve been rethinking our staffing situation in the office… Denise Yes? Paul And…well… I’m sorry Denise… I… miscalculated my staffing numbers. Denise You mean you made a mistake? Paul Well, I suppose so. So... I would love to have you back in the office as soon as possible. What do you say? Denise Hmm, let me think about it… hmmm… errr… well… hmmm… Narrator What will Denise decide? It was a hard phone call for Paul to make, but not one Anna should have made as it wasn’t her mistake. She stood her ground with Paul and used the following phrases: You’re the boss and I think the news is better coming from you. It was your decision in the first place so you need to explain that the situation has changed. This is your responsibility. Narrator And here is a reminder of the phrases Paul used to try and apologise: I’ve been rethinking our staffing situation in the office. Sorry, I made a mistake. I miscalculated my staffing numbers. I would love to have you back in the office. Denise Hmmm… well… OK then. I’ll start back tomorrow. Paul Oh wonderful. I’m so pleased. We’ll get your old chair back in position. Denise Actually Paul, if you want me back I’ll need a new chair… and a new phone… Paul OK Denise! See you tomorrow. Denise And a pay rise! Tom So, is she coming back then? Paul Yes, first thing tomorrow. Tom That’s good because we’ve just had a call from Nice’n’Cheesy – they said nobody returned their call yesterday and they if we don’t contact them by the end of tomorrow they will go elsewhere for their plastic grapes. Paul Right, we must act… and act fast. Narrator Let’s hope they don’t lose that contract. At least with Denise returning to work, things will be a little more organised but for how long? Join us again next time on English at Work. Bye!