Lesson Introduction: In today's podcast we're working too much! We need an assistant and we need one now! Learn and find out how to negotiate in English with your manager, but we must warn you, be careful what you wish for!
A: ...like I told you before, we just don’t have the resources to hire you an assistant.
B: I understand that, but the fact is we’re understaffed.
A: The timing is just not right. The economy is bad,and it’s too risky to take on new staff.
B: Yeah, I guess you’re right.... here’s an idea, what if we hire an intern? She would take some of the weight off my shoulders.
A: She?
B: Yeah, you know, a recent graduate. She could give me a hand with some of these projects and
we could keep our costs down.
A: That sounds reasonable... let me see what I can do.
A: Tony, I’d like to introduce you to your new assistant.
B: OK, great! Let’s meet her!
C: Hi, I’m Adam.
B: Oh... hi... I’m Tony...
resources money
understaffed not enough people to do the job
the timing is just not right it is not a good time now
weight off my shoulders remove pressure or stress
give me a hand help
that sounds reasonable is OK
recruit hire
overworked working too much
short staffed not enough people to do the job
cut costs reduce spending
overstaffed having too many employees