Advanced English Conversations (2) - Robert Allans, Matt Edie, A. Mustafaoglu 2020

Set 84 - Could you expand on that a little?

Abraham: Well; first of all, I’d like to thank you for your offer. I’m certainly interested in the opportunity. I just have a small problem with the conditions.

Bill: Could you expand on that a little, Graham?

Abraham: Sure, in my current post I get 24 days’ leave a year, whereas you’re offering 20.

Bill: I’m afraid twenty-four days is out of the question.

Abraham: Ok, well, do we have a room for negotiation here and meet half-way on this?

Bill: We could maybe take it up to twenty-two. You know we the quality of our work could be undoubtedly compromised when the people in charge are out of reach. However, I could put that to the Human Resources and see what they think.

Abraham: I’d be very grateful if you could. Now in terms of my salary, I'm not sure that the salary I’m making currently is relevant with regard to this opportunity. It’s a different position with different responsibilities. More importantly, I am looking for a job that can compensate me fairly for my skills and experience. Can I have an idea as to what the budgeted salary range is?

Bill: Now, you’ll start at 20 dollars an hour for your probationary period and then be eligible for a raise every year based on performance reviews.

Vocabulary;

expand on something: to give more details about something you have said or written.

out of the question: not possible; having no chance; not permitted.

meet someone half-way: to compromise with someone.

compromise: (verb) to risk having a harmful effect on something.

out of reach: unavailable; inaccessible.

put something to: to submit something to (someone) for consideration or attention.

salary/pay range: the amount of compensation a candidate would accept for a position.

probationary period: a trial period of employment before new employees are fully integrated into a company.

eligible (for/to): (adj) having the necessary qualities or satisfying the necessary conditions.

performance review: a formal assessment in which managers evaluate an employee's work performance.

Exercise;

Fill in the gaps with the appropriate phrases or words;

1. I wonder if you would like to .......... on your earlier remarks. I haven’t got the picture yet.

2. We've sunk too much time and money into this project as it is, so starting again from scratch is out of the ..........

3. After the quarrel, Ryan had no choice but to give him a “does not meet expectations” on his .......... review form.

4. The .......... period may be viewed as the final opportunity to evaluate performance before permanent appointment.

5. A model prisoner, he became .......... for release after serving half his sentence.

6. Under most circumstances, base pay for individuals in key positions will be positioned between the midpoint and the maximum of the .......... range.

7. We are making a takeover bid and .......... an offer to the shareholders.

8. As the boy grew older, and his father remained just out of .........., he continued to hunger for his him and to fight to spend time with him.

9. We’ve to take all the necessary measure. We’re in no position to .......... the safety of our passengers.

10. Unfortunately, we were not ready to accept the other, dialogue with him, and .......... halfway.

1. expand 2. question 3. performance 4. probationary 5. eligible 6. salary 7. putting 8. reach 9. compromise 10. meet