Speak Business English Like an American » LESSON 27 - Firing Somebody
Kurt: Dan, your work has slipped. You've been here for 15 years, and I think you're just burned out.
Dan: What are you talking about? I'm at the top of my game. I just managed our biggest project in years.
Kurt: You can't take credit for that. You didn't lift a finger on that project. You were on vacation in Hawaii for three weeks while Steve and Sally were doing all the work.
Dan: I'm not good at reading between the lines. Please just cut to the chase. What are you trying to say?
Kurt: Dan, Swift Shoes is downsizing. This is really difficult, but we're going to have to let you go.
Dan: What? I helped build this company from the ground up! You can't fire me now.
Kurt: I don't want to, but my hands are tied. Our president has told me to reduce headcount by 50 percent.
Dan: I thought you and I were friends, but when push comes to shove, I guess our friendship isn't worth anything.
Kurt: Of course we're still friends, but business is business.
Dan: I don't agree with that. I would never fire a friend....after all those times Kathleen and I invited you and Donna to dinner at our home!
Kurt: Dan, I want you to leave Swift Shoes on friendly terms. No hard feelings. To soften the blow, we're going to give you a generous severance package.
ORIGIN: This expression comes from the days when people would send secret messages. When treated with a special substance like lemon juice, a secret message would appear between the lines of an ordinary looking letter. Therefore, when told to "read between the lines," you should look for the hidden meaning.
ORIGIN: In action films, the "chase" refers to most exciting part, when the drama is at a high point. Some people may want the movie to get to this exciting part (in other words, cut to it) as soon as possible.
NOTE: "Headcount" is the number of people who work at an organization. Many companies do not like to say that they are "laying people off' as it can sound cold and insensitive. After all, people are involved. "Reducing headcount" gets around this problem. It sounds less personal and more scientific.
SYNONYM: to downsize
SYNONYM: when you come right down to it
Liz is in a difficult position. Her boss has told her to (1) ___________ since the company is in financial trouble. Liz only has three em ployees: Brian, Rachel, and Pam. Brian and Rachel are doing great work, so she can't afford to (2) ___________ . Pam isn't doing so well. In fact, over the past year her (3) ___________ . It's true that Pam helped (4) ___________ and has been a very loyal employee over the past 10 years. Unfortunately, she's no longer (5) ___________ . Liz thinks Pam has simply worked too hard and is now(6) ___________ . Liz likes Pam, and would prefer not to fire her. But (7) ___________ . Liz hopes there will be (8) ___________ after she tells Pam the bad news.
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